Johansson B, Zarit S H
Institute of Gerontology, University College of Health Sciences, Jönköping, Sweden.
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 1997 Jan;12(1):53-9. doi: 10.1002/(sici)1099-1166(199701)12:1<53::aid-gps507>3.0.co;2-m.
This study examines whether cognitive markers at prior examinations are indicative of subsequent dementia and mortality. The sample was composed of subjects aged 84-90 at baseline who were reexamined three times over a 6-year period on a comprehensive biobehavioral battery. Dementia was evaluated at each examination using DSM-III-R criteria. Results indicated that incident cases of dementia had lower cognitive scores both 2 and 4 years prior to diagnosis, compared to non-demented survivors. Evidence for terminal decline was also found, as people who subsequently died also had lower cognitive performance at prior examinations, compared to non-demented survivors. The findings suggest that mild cognitive dysfunction is an important clinical finding among the oldest old and may herald either the onset of dementia or mortality.
本研究探讨先前检查中的认知标志物是否可预示随后发生的痴呆症和死亡率。样本由基线时年龄在84至90岁之间的受试者组成，他们在6年时间里接受了三次全面的生物行为综合测试。每次检查时均使用《精神疾病诊断与统计手册》第三版修订本（DSM-III-R）标准评估痴呆症。结果表明，与未患痴呆症的幸存者相比，痴呆症的新发病例在诊断前2年和4年时的认知得分较低。还发现了临终前衰退的证据，因为与未患痴呆症的幸存者相比，随后死亡的人在先前检查中的认知表现也较低。研究结果表明，轻度认知功能障碍在高龄老年人中是一项重要的临床发现，可能预示着痴呆症的发作或死亡。
