Metabolic Syndrome and Cognition: Follow-Up Study of Chinese Over-55-Year-Olds

Abstract

<b><i>Background/Aim:</i></b> Studies of the associations of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) with cognitive function and decline are inconclusive. We investigated the associations of the MetS with cognitive functions in 823 Chinese >55-year-olds followed up over 4.5 years. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The relationships between the MetS and baseline and follow-up <i>z</i>-scores of cognitive domain functions were examined using mixed model analysis. <b><i>Results:</i></b> There were specific inverse cross-sectional associations of single cardiometabolic risk factors with cognition, such as hyperglycemia with processing speed (<i>p</i> = 0.045). The MetS was negatively associated with 3 out of 4 cognitive domains (<i>p</i> = 0.018 to <i>p</i> = 0.003), and the count of cardiometabolic risk factors with all cognitive domains (<i>p</i> = 0.025 to <i>p</i> = 0.002). Longitudinally, dyslipidemia was associated with worse decline in memory and learning (<i>p</i> = 0.022). The count of cardiometabolic risk factors was associated with worse declines in cognition (<i>p</i> = 0.032 for global cognition). <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> Among middle-aged and older Asians, an increased number of component cardiometabolic risk factors of the MetS was associated with a worse decline in cognitive function over time.