Data from 1,425 cognitively healthy older adults (70-89) has found that a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) was associated with an 83% greater risk of developing non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment. The greatest risk was among patients who had COPD for more than five years.
Over the study period, 230 (16%) developed amnestic MCI, 97 (7%) nonamnestic MCI, 27 (2%) MCI of unknown type, and 16 dementia (1%).
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2014-03/tjnj-caw031414.php
Reference:
[3604]
(2014). A prospective study of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and the risk for mild cognitive impairment.
JAMA Neurology. 71(5), 581 - 588.