Frontiers in Nutrition (Oct 2024)

Joint association of serum sodium and frailty with mild cognitive impairment among hospitalized older adults with chronic diseases: a cross-sectional study

  • Zhaozhao Hui,
  • Zhaozhao Hui,
  • Lina Wang,
  • Jing Deng,
  • Feng Liu,
  • Liping Cheng,
  • Yajing Li,
  • Yuxin Tian,
  • Le Ma,
  • Xiaohong Liu

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2024.1467751
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 11

Abstract

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BackgroundTo examine the associations of serum sodium and frailty with the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) among hospitalized older adults with chronic diseases.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted in 403 hospitalized older adults with chronic diseases. Serum sodium concentration was assessed by the ion-selective electrode method, frailty status was evaluated by the FRAIL scale, and MCI was determined by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Multiple logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations of serum sodium and frailty with MCI.ResultsParticipants with the lowest tertile of serum sodium had a higher risk of MCI than those in the middle tertile group (OR = 1.75, 95% CI: 1.01–3.04). Below 143 mmol/L, the risk of MCI was 1.38 (95% CI: 1.03–1.84) for per 1 SD decrease in serum sodium. Compared with the robust group, frailty was significantly associated with an increased risk of MCI (OR = 3.94, 95% CI: 1.92–8.10). Moreover, in comparison with participants with the middle tertile of serum sodium and who were robust/prefrail, those with frailty and either the lowest (OR = 5.53, 95% CI: 2.08–14.67) or the highest tertile of serum sodium (OR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.20–10.05) had higher risks of MCI.ConclusionBoth lower and higher serum sodium impose a significantly higher risk for MCI in older adults with frailty. This could inform the design of clinical trials and the development of guidelines and recommendations for correcting serum sodium and frailty in hospitalized older adults with chronic diseases.

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