Prevalence and Influence Factors of Cognitive Frailty in the Older Adult Patients Undergoing Maintenance Haemodialysis: A Multi‐Centre Cross‐Sectional Study

ABSTRACT Aims To examine the prevalence of factors of cognitive frailty in patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis (MHD). Design A cross‐sectional study. Methods From September 2023 to January 2024, 1023 patients undergoing MHD were recruited from 11 hospitals in Chengdu, China, using convenience sampling. The participants' sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, health information and laboratory indicators were assessed using a general information questionnaire. Cognitive frailty was assessed using the Fried Frailty Phenotype and Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scales. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the associations between cognitive frailty and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Independent variables for the multivariate logistic regression model encompassing age, sex, educational level, marital status, visual impairment, hearing impairment, falls within a year, depression, weight, height, Malnutrition‐inflammation score and serum albumin, sodium, phosphorus, total cholesterol and creatinine levels. Results Among 1023 participants with a mean age of 69.52 years, 300 (29.3%) had cognitive frailty, with a predominance of older patients. Regression analysis showed that advanced age, low literacy and low serum creatinine, sodium and total cholesterol levels were positively correlated with cognitive frailty. Furthermore, 17.1% of the participants experienced depression, a risk factor for cognitive frailty, and malnutrition was an independent risk factor for cognitive frailty. Conclusion Older adult patients undergoing (MHD) are at an increased risk of developing cognitive frailty. The aetiology of cognitive frailty in this cohort was multifactorial. Targeted interventions should be designed and implemented based on these factors, prioritising nutritional guidance and mood management to prevent or reverse cognitive frailty. Reporting Method The study adhered to the STROBE checklist. Impact Older adult patients undergoing MHD are at increased risk of developing cognitive frailty. Cognitive frailty screening must be incorporated into the routine assessment of older patients undergoing MHD. Patient or Public Contribution No patient or public contribution.