Assessment of prevalence, risk factors, and neuropsychiatric symptoms of mild neurocognitive disorder among elderly in Suez Canal Area

Abstract Background Mild neurocognitive disorder is mild reduction in cognitive abilities than a previous level, requiring compensatory strategies that help maintain independence, and is associated with behavioral and psychiatric symptoms. This cross-sectional comparative study aimed to evaluate prevalence of mild neurocognitive disorder, its risk factors, and associated neuropsychiatric symptoms. It included a sample of 156 elderly people ≥ 60 years old in Suez Canal Area from geriatric homes and primary health care centers. Study tools included a semi-structured clinical interview to assess sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle risk factors, DSM-5 criteria for diagnosis of neurocognitive disorders, the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale, and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire. Results Prevalence of mild neurocognitive disorder was 37.2% in total sample with mean total score of 22.7 ± 6.1 by Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale. The most common subtype was amnestic multiple domain subtype (72.4%). Its predicting factors included advanced age, lower education, physical work, non-adherence to treatment, less physical activity, bone and joint disorders, and family history of cognitive impairment. The neuropsychiatric symptoms with highest scores were sleep/nighttime behavior, depression, irritability, and eating/appetite, respectively. Among the two study groups, geriatric home residents had highly significant lower cognitive scores ( p < 0.001) and higher Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire scores. Conclusion Mild neurocognitive disorder is common among elderly people and is associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms that need screening and management. Modifiable risk factors should be identified to provide interventions.