Prevalence and predictors of Motoric Cognitive Risk syndrome in a community‐dwelling older Scottish population: A longitudinal observational study

• Published in: International journal of geriatric psychiatry Vol. 37; no. 11
• Main Authors: Mullin, Donncha S., Stirland, Lucy E., Welstead, Miles, Russ, Tom C., Luciano, Michelle, Muniz‐Terrera, Graciela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Wiley Subscription Services, Inc 01.11.2022; John Wiley and Sons Inc
• Subjects: Aged; Cognition; Cognitive ability; Cognitive Dysfunction - epidemiology; Dementia; Dementia - epidemiology; Dementia disorders; Executive function; Frailty; Frailty - epidemiology; Gait; Geriatric psychiatry; Humans; Independent Living; Mild Cognitive Impairment; Motoric Cognitive Risk; Observational studies; Population studies; Prevalence; Prospective Studies; Risk Factors; Scotland - epidemiology; slow gait; Socioeconomic factors; subjective cognitive complaint; Syndrome; Scotland; slow gait; Frailty; dementia; subjective cognitive complaint; Mild Cognitive Impairment; Motoric Cognitive Risk
• ISSN: 0885-6230; 1099-1166
• DOI: 10.1002/gps.5824

Objectives Motoric Cognitive Risk (MCR) is a gait‐based predementia syndrome that is easy to measure and prognostic of dementia and falls. We aimed to examine the prevalence and risk factors for MCR, and assess its overlap with Mild Cognitive Impairment, Prefrailty, and Frailty, in a cohort of older Scottish adults without dementia. Methods In this longitudinal prospective study, we classified 690 participants (mean [SD] age 76.3 [0.8] years; wave 3) of the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 (LBC1936) into non‐MCR or MCR groups. We examined their baseline (age 69.5 [0.8] years; wave 1) risk factors for MCR at waves 3, 4, and 5 (6, 9, and 12 years later respectively). Results MCR prevalence rate ranged from 5.3% to 5.7% across the three waves. The presence of MCR was associated with older baseline age (6 and 9 years later), lower occupational socioeconomic status (6 years later), and worse scores in a range of tests of executive function (6, 9 and 12 years later). Approximately 46% of the MCR group also had Mild Cognitive Impairment, and almost everyone in the MCR group had either Prefrailty or Frailty. Conclusions The prevalence of MCR in this Scottish cohort is lower than the pooled global average, possibly reflecting the general good health of the LBC cohort. However, it is higher than the prevalence in two neighbouring countries' cohorts, which may reflect the younger average ages of those cohorts. Future LBC1936 research should assess the risk factors associated with MCR to validate previous findings and analyse novel predictive factors, particularly socioeconomic status. Key points Motoric Cognitive Risk (MCR) is a gait‐based predementia syndrome that is quick, inexpensive, and practical to assess and diagnose, and it can identify individuals at high risk of developing dementia. The prevalence of MCR in this older Scottish cohort ranged from 5.3% to 5.7% over three follow‐up waves. Factors associated with MCR in this cohort include age, socioeconomic status and tests of executive function. There is partial overlap between individuals with MCR and Mild Cognitive Impairment, but almost all individuals with MCR also had either Prefrailty or Frailty.