Prevalence and Multidimensional Determinants of Mild Cognitive Impairment among Urban-Dwelling Older Adults in Pathum Thani, Thailand: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a stage of cognitive decline beyond normal aging that has not progressed to dementia and is increasingly recognized as a major public health concern worldwide. However, population-based evidence on MCI in urban Thailand remains limited. This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of MCI and its multidimensional determinants among older adults in an urban community in Pathum Thani, Thailand. A total of 414 adults aged 60 years or older were recruited using multistage sampling between September and November 2025. Cognitive status was assessed using the Thai Mental State Examination (TMSE; cutoff ≤23, indicating MCI), while depressive symptoms and perceived stress were evaluated using the PHQ-9 and ST-5, respectively. Associations were examined using univariable and multivariable logistic regression analyses. The prevalence of MCI was 35.0%, affecting more than one-third of the participants. Multivariable analysis identified nine factors significantly associated with MCI: older age, lower educational attainment, unemployment, low income, physical inactivity, depression, elevated stress, limited social participation, and lack of engagement in brain-training activities (p < 0.05). Knowledge of MCI was not significantly associated with MCI after adjustment (p > 0.05). These findings highlight the multifactorial nature of MCI in urban settings and emphasize the need for targeted, community-based screening and integrated health-promotion strategies that address modifiable risk factors in Thailand’s rapidly aging population.