Association between serum vitamin B12 level and cognitive impairment in Chinese elderly residents: a CLHLS dataset-based analysis

Yuxiao ZHU; Yanan QIAO; Hui YANG; Jiahong SUN; Min ZHAO; Bo XI

doi:10.11847/zgggws1143019

Zhongguo gonggong weisheng (Mar 2024)

Association between serum vitamin B12 level and cognitive impairment in Chinese elderly residents: a CLHLS dataset-based analysis

Yuxiao ZHU,
Yanan QIAO,
Hui YANG,
Jiahong SUN,
Min ZHAO,
Bo XI

Affiliations

Yuxiao ZHU: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji′nan 250012, China
Yanan QIAO: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji′nan 250012, China
Hui YANG: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji′nan 250012, China
Jiahong SUN: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji′nan 250012, China
Min ZHAO: Department of Toxicology and Nutrition, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji′nan 250012, China
Bo XI: Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University, Ji′nan 250012, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.11847/zgggws1143019
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 40, no. 3
pp. 302 – 306

Abstract

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ObjectiveTo investigate the association between serum vitamin B12 (VB12) level and cognitive impairment in elderly Chinese individuals for the prevention and control of cognitive decline in the population. MethodsThe data of 924 residents aged 65 years and older were extracted from the dataset of Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) conducted in 2012 and 2014. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), with participants scoring below 24 considered to have cognitive impairment. Participants were categorized into tertiles based on their serum VB12 concentrations, and comparisons were made between major characteristics of participants in different groups. Generalized estimation equation (GEE) models were employed to explore the association of serum VB12 level with cognitive function and its risk. ResultsThe mean level of serum VB12 was 408.93 ± 197.60 pmol/L for all the participants aged 81.21 ± 11.14 years and with nearly equal numbers of men and women. After adjusting for potential confounders, the GEE model analyses revealed that compared to individuals with serum VB12 levels in the first tertile, the participants with higher serum VB12 levels exhibited increased MMSE scores (β = 1.12, 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 0.40 – 1.85 for the second tertile; β = 1.34, 95%CI = 0.52 – 2.16 for the third tertile), as well as a reduced risk of cognitive impairment (odds ratio [OR] = 0.52, 95%CI: 0.32 – 0.86 for the second tertile; OR = 0.56, 95%CI: 0.33 – 0.94 for the third tertile). However, further subgroup analysis indicated that the decreased risk of cognitive impairment was statistically significant only among female participants. ConclusionThe presence of serum vitamin B12 deficiency is significantly associated with cognitive impairment in elderly female residents in China.

Published in Zhongguo gonggong weisheng

ISSN: 1001-0580 (Print)
Publisher: Editorial Office of Chinese Journal of Public Health
Country of publisher: China
LCC subjects: Medicine: Public aspects of medicine
Website: https://www.zgggws.com/indexen.htm

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