To systematically evaluate the prevalence of cognitive frailty (CF) among older adults with stroke in China and identify factors associated with variation in prevalence.
Approach:
Literature Search: A comprehensive search was conducted across multiple databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and several Chinese databases for studies reporting CF prevalence in older stroke patients.
Inclusion/Exclusion Criteria: Studies were included if they involved participants aged ≥60 years with stroke, defined CF, and were conducted in mainland China. Exclusions included studies with incomplete data or sample sizes <50.
Data Analysis: Four studies involving 1,337 participants were analyzed using Stata 18.0 software to determine the pooled prevalence of CF.
Key Findings:
The pooled prevalence of cognitive frailty among older adults with stroke in China was found to be 33% (95% CI: 28–39%).
Higher prevalence of CF was observed in patients aged ≥80 years compared to those aged 60–79 years (p < 0.05).
Alcohol consumption was associated with a higher prevalence of CF (p < 0.05).
Patients with malnutrition had a CF prevalence of 47% (95% CI: 34–60%) and those with depression had a prevalence of 62% (95% CI: 53–71%).
Interpretation:
The findings indicate a substantial prevalence of cognitive frailty among older stroke patients in China, with significant associations with age, alcohol consumption, malnutrition, and depression.
Limitations:
The evidence base is limited to four studies, which may not be representative.
High heterogeneity was observed among the included studies.
All studies were conducted in hospital settings in China, limiting generalizability.
Conclusion:
The study highlights the need for increased clinical attention to cognitive frailty in older stroke patients, particularly those with malnutrition or depression, and suggests further research is necessary to validate these findings.
