Non-linear relationship of serum albumin-to-globulin ratio and cognitive function in American older people: a cross-sectional national health and nutrition examination survey 2011-2014 (NHANES) study.

Background

Inflammation and liver function are associated with cognitive decline and dementia. Little is known about the serum albumin-to-globulin ratio on cognitive function.

Objective

The objective of this study was to investigate the association between albumin-to-globulin ratio and cognitive function among the American older people.

Methods

The public data available on the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2011 to 2014 was used for this cross-sectional study. Participants aged ≥60 years completed the cognitive function assessments, including word learning and recall modules from the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer's Disease (CERAD), the animal fluency (AF) test, and the digit symbol substitution test (DSST). A composite cognition score was calculated to evaluate global cognition. The univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis, curve fitting, a threshold effect, along with a subgroup analysis and interaction tests were conducted.

Results

Serum albumin-to-globulin ratio (per 0.1 unit) was positively associated DSST score (β = 0.36, 95% CI: 0.21, 0.51), AF score (β = 0.1, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.16) and global cognition score (β = 0.05, 95% CI: 0.02, 0.07), after being fully adjusted, while albumin-to-globulin ratio was not related to CERAD score (β = 0.05, 95% CI: -0.02, 0.12). A non-linear was observed in the dose-response relationship between albumin-to-globulin ratio and global cognition (

Conclusion

The findings of this cross-sectional study suggested a positive and non-linear association between albumin-to-globulin ratio and cognitive function in the American older people. Maintaining albumin-to-globulin ratio with an appropriate range may be one of the therapeutic strategies to limit the progression of cognitive decline for the older people.

Informations de copyright

Copyright © 2024 Yang, Liao, Zhou, Gao and Mao.

Déclaration de conflit d'intérêts

The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.