Latent profile analysis of 474 patients with cerebrovascular diseases identified three profiles (mild, moderate, severe) that reflected differing levels of MMSE-based global cognitive severity, with NIHSS score and gender showing exploratory associations with profile membership in this predominantly hemorrhagic, neurosurgical cohort.
A three-profile latent model best represented cognitive impairment among 474 patients with cerebrovascular diseases.
Most participants fell into the mild impairment profile, with smaller moderate and severe groups.
Higher NIHSS scores were associated with higher odds of membership in the moderate impairment profile compared with the mild profile.
Male gender and lower NIHSS scores were associated with lower odds of membership in the severe impairment profile.
The profiles mainly represent differing levels of MMSE-based global cognitive severity rather than distinct domain-specific patterns, in a predominantly hemorrhagic and neurosurgical cohort.
The authors state that generalizability of the findings to broader CVD populations requires further validation.
This study looked at 474 patients with cerebrovascular diseases, such as stroke-related conditions, at one hospital in southwestern China. Using a statistical method that groups people with similar patterns, researchers found three groups: mild cognitive impairment (about 82% of patients), moderate (about 11%), and severe (about 6%). The groups mainly differed in overall severity of cognitive problems as measured by a common screening test (MMSE). Patients with higher stroke severity scores (NIHSS) on admission were more likely to be in the moderate impairment group than the mild group. Men and patients with lower NIHSS scores were less likely to be in the severe group. The authors describe these links as exploratory. This research suggests that grouping patients by level of cognitive impairment might help tailor rehabilitation, but the findings come from one hospital, a cross-sectional design, and a mostly hemorrhagic, neurosurgical patient group. The results need confirmation in broader populations before they can be widely applied.
Yin Y, Ma H, Zou R, Fan C, Zhu W, Zheng J. (2026). Cognitive impairment profiles in patients with cerebrovascular diseases: a latent profile analysis.. Frontiers in neurology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2026.1840409