New and Noteworthy Information—February 2014

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) may increase the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), researchers reported in the November 2013 issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. The investigators evaluated 1,927 patients (ages 70 to 89) enrolled in the population-based Mayo Clinic Study of Aging. Participants received a nurse assessment, neurologic evaluation, and neuropsychologic testing. A consensus panel diagnosed MCI according to standardized criteria. COPD was identified by the review of medical records. A total of 288 patients had COPD. Prevalence of MCI was 27% among patients with COPD and 15% among patients without COPD. The odds ratio for MCI was 1.60 in patients who had had COPD for five years or fewer and 2.10 in patients who had had COPD for more than five years.

—Erik Greb and Colby Stong