Metabolic syndrome and cognitive performance in the elderly.

Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is a cluster of conditions, each of which represents a risk factor for cardiovascular disease: central obesity, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia and hypertension. In different recent studies MetS has been associated with an accelerate cognitive decline in the elderly. The aim of our research has been to investigate the relationship between MetS and cognitive performance in 174 italian elderly people living in Val Cenischia (Piedmont). Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) has been administered to assess the cognitive status of all participants. The prevalence of MetS, as defined by NCEP-ATPIII updated criteria (2004), is 50,3% (51,3% for males, 49,5% for females). Our results confirm the association between MetS and worse cognitive performance in the elderly: an increased number of MetS components is associated with an increased risk of developing cognitive impairment (O.R. = 1,54 [IC95%: 1,04-2,28], p<0,05).