Department of Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Nephrological and Geriatric Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Umberto I, Policlinico di Roma, Viale del Policlinico 155, I-00161 Roma, Italy.
Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2012 Sep-Oct;55(2):247-50. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2011.07.017. Epub 2011 Sep 22.
AF is able not only to increase the risk of cognitive decline due to acute cerebrovascular events, but also to reduce cardiac output, with the consequence of impaired cerebral perfusion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between AF, dementia and depression in patients with negative anamnesis for past strokes. Our sample included 26 patients with a diagnosis of AF (paroxystic, persistent, permanent) and 31 patients with sinus rhythm, enrolled as controls. All selected patients underwent a Multidimensional Geriatric Assessment in order to investigate cognitive and behavioral functions. Statistical analysis of results showed a greater frequency of latent cognitive impairment in patients with AF, even in the absence of memory disorders. As a matter of facts, AF patients showed Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores significantly lower than those with sinus rhythm (p<0.05) and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) scores higher than those without AF, evidencing a greater risk of depression too (p<0.02). Results showed a statistically significant association between AF, depression and cognitive impairment in early stage. In conclusion, AF is not only associated with the risk of developing cognitive impairment, but it can also be considered as a risk factor for dementia and depression, even in the absence of medical history of past stroke.
房颤不仅会增加因急性脑血管事件导致认知能力下降的风险，还会降低心输出量，从而导致脑灌注受损。本研究旨在评估房颤、痴呆和抑郁在既往无脑卒中病史的患者中的相关性。我们的样本包括 26 例诊断为房颤（阵发性、持续性、永久性）的患者和 31 例窦性心律的患者作为对照组。所有入选患者均接受多维老年综合评估，以调查认知和行为功能。结果的统计学分析显示，房颤患者即使没有记忆障碍，也存在更高频率的潜在认知障碍。事实上，房颤患者的简易精神状态检查（MMSE）评分明显低于窦性心律患者（p<0.05），老年抑郁量表（GDS）评分高于无房颤患者，表明抑郁风险也更高（p<0.02）。结果表明，房颤、抑郁和认知障碍早期之间存在统计学显著关联。总之，房颤不仅与认知障碍的发展风险相关，而且即使没有既往卒中病史，也可被视为痴呆和抑郁的危险因素。
