Association between Renal Function and Cognitive Ability Domains in the Einstein Aging Study: A Cross-Sectional Analysis

Abstract

Background. The relationships between renal function and specific domains of cognitive function have rarely been explored in representative, community-based samples of older adults. We assessed the association between renal and cognitive function based on an extensive battery of neurocognitive tests. Methods. In a sample of Einstein Aging Study participants (n = 649, age = 70+ years) we calculated estimated glomerular filtration rate (EGFR) using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration formula. We predefined three groups based on EGFR units of mL/min/1.73 m2 as low (<45), medium (45.59), and high (.60). Thirteen neurocognitive tests were subjected to principle component analysis revealing three components: a global component, an episodic memory component, and a frontal-executive component. We first examined the relationship of EGFR group to cognitive performance in each domain and then examined subtests for the domains which proved to be statistically significant. Results. The sample (mean = 79.2, 61% = female) was distributed among EGFR categories as follows: low (n = 67), medium (n = 151), and high (n = 431). The frontal-executive domain was significantly associated with poor cognitive performance in the low EGFR group (p