ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a widespread phenomenon, especially affecting older individuals. We will analyze in how far MCI affects different facets of quality of life (QOL). METHODS: We used a sample of 903 participants (110 with MCI) from the fifth follow-up of the German Study on Ageing, Cognition, and Dementia in Primary Care Patients (AgeCoDe), a prospective longitudinal study, to analyze the effects of MCI on different facets of the WHOQOL-OLD. We controlled for age, gender, marital status, education, living situation, daily living skills, and the ability to walk, see, and hear. RESULTS: Univariate analyses showed that individuals with MCI exhibited lower QOL with regard to the facets autonomy; past, present, and future activities; social participation; and intimacy, but less fears related to death and dying. No significant difference was shown with regard to the facet sensory abilities. In multivariate analyses controlling for age, gender, marital status, education, living situation, daily living skills, and the ability to walk, see and hear, MCI-status was significantly associated with QOL in the facet autonomy. CONCLUSION: Effects of MCI go beyond cognition and significantly impact the lives of those affected. Further research and practice will benefit from utilizing specific facets of QOL rather than a total score.
Subject(s)
Activities of Daily Living/psychology , Cognitive Dysfunction/psychology , Quality of Life/psychology , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Aging/physiology , Aging/psychology , Cognition/physiology , Dementia/psychology , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Primary Health Care , Prospective StudiesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Maintaining independence in instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) is crucial for older adults. This study explored the association between cognitive and functional performance in general and in single IADL domains. Also, risk factors for developing IADL impairment were assessed. METHODS: Here, 3,215 patients aged 75-98 years were included. Data were collected during home visits. RESULTS: Cognitive functioning was associated with IADL both cross-sectionally and longitudinally. Regarding the single IADL domains cross-sectionally, executive functioning was especially associated with shopping, while episodic memory was associated with responsibility for own medication. CONCLUSION: Reduced performance in neuropsychological tests is associated with a greater risk of current and subsequent functional impairment.
Subject(s)
Activities of Daily Living/psychology , Cognition Disorders/psychology , Mental Recall/physiology , Verbal Behavior/physiology , Aged , Cross-Sectional Studies , Data Interpretation, Statistical , Female , Humans , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Memory/physiology , Neuropsychological Tests , Psychomotor Performance/physiology , Regression Analysis , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Although mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a high-risk factor for developing dementia, little is known about the prevalence of MCI among patients of general practitioners (GPs). AIMS: Estimation of age-specific prevalence for original and modified concepts of MCI and their association with sociodemographic, medical and genetic (apoE epsilon4 genotype) factors among patients of GPs. METHODS: A GP practice sample of 3,327 individuals aged 75+ was assessed by structured clinical interviews. RESULTS: Prevalence was 15.4% (95% CI = 14.1-16.6) for original and 25.2% (95% CI = 23.7-26.7) for modified MCI. Rates increased significantly with older age. Positive associations were found for apoE epsilon4 allele, vascular diseases and depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: MCI is frequent in elderly patients of GPs. GPs have a key position in secondary prevention and care of incipient cognitive deterioration up to the diagnosis of dementia.
