Effects of kidney function, serum albumin and hemoglobin on dementia severity in the oldest old people with newly diagnosed Alzheimer's disease in a residential aged care facility: A cross-sectional study

Jia Jyun Wu, Shuo Chun Weng, Chih Kuang Liang, Chu Sheng Lin, Tsuo Hung Lan, Shih Yi Lin, Yu Te Lin*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD), low serum albumin, and anemia are known risk factors for cognitive decline in older people. We investigated the association between kidney function and cognitive impairment severity in oldest-old people with a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Methods: A cross-sectional study of patients aged 80 years and older was conducted at a veterans' home in Taiwan between 2012 and 2016. Their estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was determined using the Modification of Diet in Renal Diseases (MDRD) equation. Cognitive function was evaluated with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). Results: A total of 84 patients (age mean ± SD, 86.6 ± 3.9 years) had MMSE scores of 10.1 ± 6.7, and CDR scores of 1.6 ± 0.7. The average eGFR was 61.7 ± 21.5 mL/min/1.73m2. The mean hemoglobin concentration was 12.7 ± 1.7 g/dl, and the mean albumin concentration was 4.5 ± 4.8 g/dl. Multivariate regression analyses showed that scores of CDR were significantly correlated with eGFR after adjustment for potential confounders. The scores of MMSE were significantly correlated with serum albumin and hemoglobin after adjustment for potential confounders. Conclusions: We found dementia severity was significantly associated with kidney function, serum albumin, and hemoglobin in the oldest-old with AD. We recommend that oldest-old people with a diagnosis of AD be evaluated to determine kidney function, as well as nutritional and hematological status. Further study is needed to establish whether prevention of CKD deterioration, and correction of malnutrition and anemia may help to slow cognitive decline in oldest-old people with dementia.

Original languageEnglish
Article number391
JournalBMC Geriatrics
Volume20
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 7 Oct 2020

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Clinical dementia rating
  • Glomerular filtration rate
  • Mini-mental state examination
  • Oldest-old

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