Occupational gaps and mild cognitive impairment among older workers.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the association between currently employed but unwilling to remain employed (occupational gaps) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in older workers.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis was conducted on 2272 workers aged 65 years and older (mean age: 71.2 years, 52.2% male) who participated in a large community-based cohort study from 2017 to 2018. MCI was assessed using the National Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology-Functional Assessment Tool, which measures four cognitive domains: memory, attention, executive function, and processing speed. Participants with a decline ≥ 1.5 standard deviations below the age- and education-adjusted norms in one or more domains were classified as having MCI. Occupational gaps were categorized into two groups based on self-reported willingness to work. Logistic regression analysis was performed with MCI as the dependent variable and occupational gaps as the independent variable, and adjusted for covariates.

Results: Among older workers, 18.0% experienced MCI and 46.1% experienced occupational gaps. The proportion of individuals with occupational gaps was 44.2% in the non-MCI group and 54.6% in the MCI group, with a significantly higher proportion in the MCI group (p < 0.001). Logistic regression analysis revealed a significant association between occupational gaps and MCI (odds ratio 1.44, 95% confidence interval 1.15-1.80).

Conclusion: The findings suggest that occupational gaps may be associated with MCI in older workers.