Evidence from a meta-analysis and systematic review reveals the global prevalence of mild cognitive impairment

Wen-Xin Song; Wei-Wei Wu; Yuan-Yuan Zhao; Hai-Lun Xu; Guan-Cheng Chen; Shan-Yu Jin; Jie Chen; Shao-Xiang Xian; Jing-Hong Liang

doi:10.3389/fnagi.2023.1227112

Evidence from a meta-analysis and systematic review reveals the global prevalence of mild cognitive impairment

Front Aging Neurosci. 2023 Oct 27:15:1227112. doi: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1227112. eCollection 2023.

Authors

Wen-Xin Song¹, Wei-Wei Wu¹, Yuan-Yuan Zhao¹, Hai-Lun Xu¹, Guan-Cheng Chen¹, Shan-Yu Jin², Jie Chen^{1

3}, Shao-Xiang Xian^{1

3}, Jing-Hong Liang⁴

Affiliations

¹ The First Clinical Medical College of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
² Gannan Medical University, Ganzhou, China.
³ The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, Guangzhou, China.
⁴ Department of Maternal and Child Health, School of Public Health, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China.

Abstract

Objective: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a preclinical and transitional stage between healthy ageing and dementia. The purpose of our study was to investigate the recent pooled global prevalence of MCI.

Methods: This meta-analysis was in line with the recommendations of Cochrane's Handbook and Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) 2020. We conducted a comprehensive search using the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, WFD, VIP, and CBM from their inception to March 1, 2023. Quality assessment was guided by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) methodology checklist. The pooled global prevalence of MCI was synthesized using meta-analysis via random effect model. Subgroup analyses were performed to examine considered factors potentially associated with MCI prevalence.

Results: We identified 233 studies involving 676,974 individuals aged above 50 years. All the studies rated as moderated-to-high quality. The overall prevalence of MCI was 19.7% [95% confidence interval (95% CI): 18.3-21.1%]. Subgroup analyses revealed that the global prevalence of MCI increased over time, with a significant rise [32.1% (95% CI: 22.6-41.6%)] after 2019. Additionally, MCI prevalence in hospitals [34.0% (95% CI: 22.2-45.7%)] was higher than in nursing homes [22.6% (95% CI: 15.5-29.8%)] and communities [17.9% (95% CI: 16.6-19.2%)], particularly after the epidemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Conclusion: The global prevalence of MCI was 19.7% and mainly correlated with beginning year of survey and sample source. The MCI prevalence increased largely in hospitals after 2019 may be related to the outbreak of COVID-19. Further attention to MCI is necessary in the future to inform allocation of health resources for at-risk populations.

Keywords: COVID-19; global prevalence; meta-analysis; mild cognitive impairment; systematic review.

Publication types

Systematic Review

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82174316), Shenzhen Medical and Health Three Projects (SZZYSM202106006), National TCM Clinical Research Base Construction Project [No. State TCM Science and Technology Letter (2018) No. 131], Shaoxiang Xian National Famous Elder TCM Experts Inheritance Studio [State TCM Human Education Letter (2022) No. 75], Basic and Applied Research of Guangzhou Municipal University Joint Funding Project (202201020342), Qihuang Scholar Training program and Guangzhou Science and Technology Bureau 2022 Key R&D Project (2060404).