Preoperative Cognitive Screening with the Mini-Cog Test: Evaluating Prevalence and Risk Factors

Background: Cognitive disorders are emerging as critical determinants of surgical outcomes, particularly among middle-aged and elderly patients. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of cognitive impairment and its associated risk factors in patients aged 40 years and above attending a pre-anesthesia clinic. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 300 patients were assessed using the Mini-Cog test at the hospital's pre-anesthesia clinic between January 2023 and June 2024. Comprehensive demographic data, including educational levels and medical histories, were recorded. Statistical analyses were conducted to evaluate the association between cognitive impairment and clinical variables such as diabetes and hypertension. Results: Cognitive impairment was prevalent in 71% of the participants, with lower educational attainment being a significant predictor (P value < 0.001). Diabetic patients exhibited a higher prevalence of cognitive impairment compared to non-diabetics (P value = 0.092). No statistically significant association was found between hypertension and cognitive impairment (P value = 0.4). Conclusion: The study highlights a high prevalence of cognitive impairment in preoperative patients, particularly among those with limited educational backgrounds and diabetes. The findings emphasize the need for routine cognitive screening using tools like the Mini-Cog in preoperative assessments, allowing for early identification of at-risk patients and the implementation of tailored interventions to enhance surgical outcomes.