Unraveling the connection between reproductive factors and cognitive function of post-menopausal women in South India

Background: This study is conducted to estimate the incidence of cognitive decline and analyze the correlation between reproductive factors and cognition in post-menopausal women. This study marks the first instance of community-focused research in the South Indian population, focusing on the link between cognition and reproductive factors in post-menopausal women using actual world data. Methods: This cross-sectional study was accomplished in the community setting of Vellore District, in association with the Rotary Club of Anaicut, for 6 months. The study included post-menopausal women, aged 45 years or above, who had proficiency in reading and writing in English or Tamil. We applied the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) scale to appraise cognitive function. A self-administered questionnaire was utilized to collect the data. The serum estradiol level was measured. We interpreted the obtained data using IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 24. Results: Of 300 post-menopausal women screened, about 256 participants met the required inclusion criteria. The average age of the participants was 55.88 +/- 6.38 years. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) was present in 73 % of the study participants, with a mean MoCA score of 21.68 +/- 3.28. The present study findings revealed that the overall MoCA score declined with high parity (r = -0.123), earlier age at menopause (r = 0.311), lessened reproductive span (r = 0.337), and diminished estrogen levels (r = 0.425). Conclusion: This study posited a robust link between cognitive function and reproductive factors. Considering the increased occurrence of MCI in post-menopausal women, the outcomes of this research offer significant perspectives for healthcare specialists and decision-makers in devising evidence-based approaches to prevent the progression of dementia in post-menopausal women.