Motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR), which is defined as a pre-dementia syndrome characterized by subjective cognitive complaints and slow gait in older individuals free of dementia and mobility disability, has been associated with increased risks of dementia, functional dependence, and mortality. The aims of this study were to describe the prevalence and distribution of MCR and to explore the clinical profiles associated with MCR in rural-dwelling older adults.

The population-based cross-sectional study included 5,021 dementia- and disability-free participants (age ≥60 years; 56.48% women) in the baseline assessments (March-September 2018) of the Multimodal Interventions to delay Dementia and disability in rural China (MIND-China). The MCR syndrome was diagnosed when the participants had subjective memory complaints and gait speed ≥1 standard deviation (SD) below the age- (<75 and ≥75 years) and sex-specific means. We estimated the age- and sex-specific prevalence of MCR. We used logistic regression models to examine lifestyle and clinical factors associated with MCR while controlling for age, sex, and education.

The overall prevalence of MCR syndrome was 13.58%, with the prevalence being 11.53% in males and 15.16% in females (P<0.001). The prevalence of MCR was increased with age, from 10.43% in people aged 60-69 years and 15.97% in those aged 70-79 years to 21.71% among those aged ≥80 years. The demographic-adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of MCR was 1.30 (1.08-1.57) for being overweight (body mass index 24-27.9 vs. <24 kg/m2), 1.65 (1.32-2.05) for having obesity (≥28 kg/m2), 1.74 (1.41-2.15) for diabetes, 1.44 (1.20-1.73) for dyslipidemia, 1.59 (1.32-1.91) for having coronary heart disease, 2.17 (1.78-2.65) for having stroke history, 1.52 (1.24-1.86) for having osteoarthritis, and 3.40 (2.70-4.28) for having depressive symptoms. Ever (vs. never) smoking and alcohol consumption were related to odds ratio of 0.65 (0.48-0.86) and 0.71 (0.55-0.91), respectively, for MCR syndrome.

The MCR syndrome affects nearly 1 in 7 Chinese rural older adults, and the MCR prevalence appears to be higher in women than in men. Cardiometabolic risk factors (e.g., overweight/obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia), osteoarthritis, coronary heart disease, stroke, and depressive symptoms were associated with increased likelihoods of the MCR syndrome.