Modifiable Factors Associated with Cognitive Impairment in 1,143 Japanese Outpatients: The Project in Sado for Total Health (PROST)

Abstract

Background/Aims: Evidence on modifiable factors associated with cognitive impairment in Japanese patients is scarce. This study aimed to determine modifiable factors for cognitive impairment in a Japanese hospital-based population. Methods: Subjects of this cross-sectional study were 1,143 patients of Sado General Hospital (Niigata, Japan) registered in the Project in Sado for Total Health (PROST) between June 2008 and September 2014. We assessed disease history, body mass index (BMI), leisure time physical activity, walking time, smoking and drinking habits, and consumption of vegetables, fruits, and green tea as predictors, with cognitive impairment defined by the Mini-Mental State Examination (score <24) as an outcome. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for cognitive impairment. Results: The mean subject age was 68.9 years, and the prevalence of cognitive impairment was 21.5%. Multivariate analysis revealed that age (p < 0.001), low BMI (<21.1; OR 1.39, 95% CI 1.12-1.72), a history of stroke (p = 0.003), a history of myocardial infarction (p = 0.038), low fruit consumption (p for trend = 0.012), and low green tea consumption (p for trend = 0.032) were independently associated with a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment. Conclusions: Modifiable factors, such as low BMI, low fruit consumption, and low green tea consumption, are associated with cognitive impairment. Longitudinal studies will be needed to confirm these findings.

Blood brain barrier permeability of (−)-epigallocatechin gallate, its proliferation-enhancing activity of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells, and its preventive effect on age-related cognitive dysfunction in mice

“…Consecutive low concentrations of EGCG in the brain are thought to be important for brain plasticity. Epidemiological data shows that drinking green tea daily reduces the risk of cognitive decline is accumulating [35] , [36] , [37] . Our data suggests a reason for the daily ingestion of green tea namely to prevent age-related cognitive dysfunction.…”

Weight loss from 20 years of age is associated with cognitive impairment in middle-aged and elderly individuals

“…Some studies have shown that low BMI is a risk factor for dementia or cognitive impairment [ 2 , 11 , 21 – 23 ]. Recently, a large cohort study showed that underweight individuals (BMI <20 kg/m 2 ) are at an increased risk of dementia in all age groups ≥40 years [ 22 ].…”

“…In European and North American countries, a large body of evidence suggests that being overweight or obese can increase one’s risk toward developing dementia [ 8 – 10 ]. In contrast, some studies reported being underweight as a risk factor [ 8 ]; a hospital-based epidemiologic study conducted in Japan found that being underweight may be a risk factor for cognitive impairment [ 11 ]. The association between body mass and dementia or cognitive impairment remains unclear, however, and further elucidation in population-based studies is warranted.…”

The number of remaining teeth as a risk indicator of cognitive impairment: A cross‐sectional clinical study in Sado Island

“…Age, sex, hsCRP level, body mass index (BMI), history of stroke, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, oral health‐related variables (tooth brushing, history of gum swelling, and professional tooth cleaning), smoking and alcohol consumption, and dietary characteristics (intake of vegetables, fruit, and green tea) were considered as covariates in view of previous reports on risk factors for cognitive impairment (Bleckwenn et al, ; Cukierman, Gerstein, & Williamson, ; Elias, Elias, Sullivan, Wolf, & D'Agostino, ; Kitamura et al, ; Paganini‐Hill, White, & Atchison, ; Panza et al, ; Park, Park, Jun, Choi, & Suh, ; Patel, Coshall, Rudd, & Wolfe, ; Swan & Lessov‐Schlaggar, ; Watanabe et al, ). Age, sex, BMI, and blood pressure (BP) were recorded as part of the PROST registration procedure.…”