Cognitive frailty and its influencing factors in the elderly rural community residents of inner Mongolia, China

Bibliographic Data

ID15375262
AuthorsLanjun Li (0000-0003-3070-3666, Inner Mongolia Medical University), X Qu (0009-0009-6509-3256, Inner Mongolia Medical University), Zhongshuang Ren (Inner Mongolia Medical University), Yan Zhang (0000-0001-8460-2671, Inner Mongolia Medical University), Lixia Hao (Inner Mongolia Medical University), Liang Yu (0000-0002-4597-885X, Inner Mongolia Medical University), Yu Liang (0009-0002-8666-8046), Riletemuer Hu (Inner Mongolia Medical University, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume26
Issue1
Pages522-522
Publication date2026-01-12
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueBMC Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1471-2458 • E-ISSN: 1471-2458
PublisherBioMed Central (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1186/s12889-026-26230-w
PMID41527059
OpenAlexW7122618394
LanguageEN
References cited38

As a subtype of frailty, cognitive frailty (CF) has great significance on adverse outcomes in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of CF and the factors that contribute to it in an older population residing in rural communities in Inner Mongolia, China. Additionally, we aimed to identify potentially modifiable factors associated with CF to inform early intervention strategies for this population. This was a cross-sectional survey of older people living in rural communities in Inner Mongolia, China (n = 885), who had not been initially diagnosed with dementia(September to October 2024). According to the questionnaire results, the participants were divided into three groups: CF (cognitive frailty), PCF (pre-cognitive frailty), and Robust. Using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE < 25) scale, elderly individuals were divided into two categories: non-cognitive impairment (NCI) and cognitive impairment (CI).The FRAIL Scale Phenotype (FP ≥ 3) scale was used to measure non-physical frailty (NPF) and physical frailty (PF). Thus, the participant groups were defined as follows: PCF (NPF + CI or PF + NCI), CF (PF + CI), and Robust (NPF + NCI). The prevalence of CF was 9.27%. In the ordinal regression analysis, lower educational attainment was associated with higher risk, with Illiterate (OR = 5.378, 95% CI: 3.607–8.019, p < 0.001) and Primary education (OR = 1.689, 95% CI: 1.180–2.416, P = 0.004) categories showing significant effects. Participants with a family income of 10,000–19,999 yuan had higher odds (OR = 1.734, 95% CI: 1.193–2.520, P = 0.004). Without exercise was positively associated with higher risk (OR = 1.514, 95% CI: 1.084–2.114, P = 0.015), while greater grip strength was inversely associated (OR = 0.977, 95% CI: 0.957–0.998, P = 0.030). Additionally, higher scores on the simple five-item scoring questionnaire (SARC-F) significantly increased the odds (OR = 1.592, 95% CI: 1.432–1.771, P < 0.001). This study reports the prevalence of CF in a rural community of Inner Mongolia. The data showed the relationships between CF and sociodemographic factors and physical condition. This study highlights the importance of comprehensive geriatric health care for elderly residents of Inner Mongolia. KY2024060

Biostatistics · China · Cognition · Educational attainment · Odds · Odds ratio · Population · Public health · Socioeconomic status · Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research · Frailty in Older Adults · Palliative Care and End-of-Life Issues · Epidemiology

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