Introduction: We evaluated risk factors and demographic characteristics of associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in patients with COPD. Methods: 220 individuals with COPD enrolled in a cohort study designed to evaluate anxiety conducted at 16 clinical centers. Cognitive impairment was assessed with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), a cutoff score of <26 defined as MCI. Data were collected including spirometry, 6-minute walk test, symptom burden by COPD Assessment Test and dyspnea by Modified Medical Research Council, anxiety measured by Anxiety Inventory of Respiratory Disease, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale, depression by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and health status by Patient Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System and sleep quality by the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index. Results: The median age was 65 years and 54% of participants were male. 119(54%) of participants had MCI as classified by MoCA. In multivariable logistic regression, higher odds ratios (OR) (95% confidence interval) for MCI (MoCA) <26 were associated with increased years of age, 1.06 (1.02 -1-09, p<0.003); African-American race, 3.68(1.67-8.11, p<0.001); persistent phlegm, 2 (1.12-3.57, p<0.01) and sleep disturbance, 1.04(1.01-1.08, p<0.01). Conclusions: COPD patients commonly screen positive for MCI. Characteristics associated with MCI included age, African-American race, sleep disturbance and persistent phlegm.
Keywords: COPD; anxiety; depression; mild cognitive impairment; race; sleep disturbance.