Aims: Numerous of evidence suggest that older adults with diabetes are more likely to experience mild cognitive impairment (MCI), therefore identifying risk factors is crucial. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors for the development of MCI in older diabetics.

Methods: The MEDLINE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases were searched for pertinent research on the risk factors for the beginning of MCI. The remaining studies were assessed using predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria after duplicate studies were eliminated. The Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software (version 2) was used to analyze the data. The Egger test was used to examine publication bias, while the I-square statistic was used to evaluate study heterogeneity. 95 % confidence limits and odds ratios were used in the analysis.

Results: Thirty studies were authorized for assessment and statistical analysis using the systematic review procedure. These studies' findings indicate that, using both univariate and multivariate analyses, the odds ratio for the occurrence of MCI in older people with diabetes is higher for factors like low educational attainment (univariate analysis: OR = 0.706, CI95 %: 0.622-0.801, P ≤ 0.001 and multivariate analysis: OR = 0.753, CI95 %: 0.637-0.831, P = 0.001), duration of diabetes (univariate analysis: OR = 1.249, CI95 %: 1.111-1.405, P ≤ 0.001 and multivariate analysis: OR = 1.174, CI95 %: 1.006-1.370, P = 0.042), abnormal Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) levels (univariate analysis: OR = 1.744, CI95 %: 1.277-2.383, P ≤ 0.001 and multivariate analysis: OR = 1.248, CI95 %: 1.091-1.427, P ≤ 0.001), retinopathy(OR = 2.163, CI95 %: 1.686-2.776, P ≤ 0.001), nephropathy(OR = 1.568, CI95 %: 1.151-2.135, P = 0.004), neuropathy(OR = 1.334, CI95 %: 0.686-2.591, P = 0.396), depression(univariate analysis: OR = 1.649, CI95 %: 1.016-2.841, P = 0.046, and multivariate analysis: OR = 1.957, CI95 %: 1.322-2.856, P ≤ 0.001), and stroke(univariate analysis: OR = 1.820, CI95 %: 1.172-2.827, P = 0.008. multivariate analysis: OR = 1.496, CI95 %: 1.184-1.899, P = 0.001). Furthermore, univariate data analysis revealed that age(OR = 1.067, CI95 %: 1.011-1.126, P = 0.019), high total cholesterol(OR = 0.934, CI95 %: 0.866-1.008, P = 0.076), fasting blood sugar(OR = 1.129, CI95 %: 1.017-1.254, P = 0.023), the presence of hypertension(OR = 1.572, CI95 %: 1.147-2.155, P = 0.005), and kidney disease(OR = 1.676, CI95 %: 0.972-2.89, P = 0.063), all affect the odds ratio for the development of MCI in older adults with diabetes.

Conclusion: factors like low education, long-term diabetes, abnormal HbA1C levels, retinopathy, nephropathy, depression, and stroke, as well as high total cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, high blood pressure, and kidney disease, increase the risk of developing MCI in older diabetics. These cases in diabetic patients require special attention.