In Clinical

Follow this topic

Bookmark

Record learning outcomes

COPD increases the risk of non-amnesic mild cognitive impairment (MCI), JAMA Neurology reports.

Researchers followed 1,425 people aged 70-89 years with normal cognition at baseline for a median of 5.1 years. Of these, 171 had COPD at baseline, while 370 developed MCI during follow-up. COPD significantly increased the risk of non-amnesic-MCI by 83 per cent but did not significantly increase the risk of MCI or amnesic-MCI. People diagnosed with COPD for longer than five years at baseline were 58 and 158 per cent more likely to develop MCI and non-amnesic-MCI respectively.

The authors suggest that inflammation, vascular disease and hypoxia could explain the link between COPD and MCI. The findings may suggest targets for “early intervention to prevent or delay the onset and progression of MCI,” especially non-amnesic impairment, they say. (JAMA Neurology)