Research ArticleOriginal Research
Prognosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment in General Practice: Results of the German AgeCoDe Study
Hanna Kaduszkiewicz, Marion Eisele, Birgitt Wiese, Jana Prokein, Melanie Luppa, Tobias Luck, Frank Jessen, Horst Bickel, Edelgard Mösch, Michael Pentzek, Angela Fuchs, Sandra Eifflaender-Gorfer, Siegfried Weyerer, Hans-Helmut König, Christian Brettschneider, Hendrik van den Bussche, Wolfgang Maier, Martin Scherer, Steffi G. Riedel-Heller and The Study on Aging, Cognition, and Dementia in Primary Care Patients (AgeCoDe) Study Group
The Annals of Family Medicine March 2014, 12 (2) 158-165; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1596
Hanna Kaduszkiewicz
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
MDRoles: Prof
Marion Eisele
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
PhDBirgitt Wiese
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
MScJana Prokein
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
MScMelanie Luppa
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
PhDTobias Luck
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
PhDFrank Jessen
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
MDRoles: Prof
Horst Bickel
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
PhDEdelgard Mösch
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
PhDMichael Pentzek
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
PhDAngela Fuchs
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
MScSandra Eifflaender-Gorfer
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
PhDSiegfried Weyerer
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
PhDRoles: Prof
Hans-Helmut König
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
MD, MPHRoles: Prof
Christian Brettschneider
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
MScHendrik van den Bussche
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
PhDRoles: Prof
Wolfgang Maier
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
MDRoles: Prof
Martin Scherer
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
MDRoles: Prof
Steffi G. Riedel-Heller
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
MDRoles: Prof
Department of Primary Medical Care, Center for Psychosocial Medicine, University Medical Center, Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (Kaduszkiewicz, Eisele, van den Bussche, Scherer); Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany (Wiese, Prokein); Institute of Primary Medical Care, University Medical Center Schleswig-Holstein (Kaduszkiewicz); Institute of Social Medicine, Occupational Health and Public Health, University of Leipzig, Germany (Luppa, Luck, Riedel-Heller); Department of Psychiatry, University of Bonn, Germany (Jessen, Maier); Department of Psychiatry, Technical University of Munich, Germany (Bickel, Mösch); Institute of General Practice, Medical Faculty, Heinrich-Heine-University Düsseldorf, Germany (Pentzek, Fuchs); Central Institute of Mental Health, Medical Faculty Mannheim/Heidelberg University, Mannheim, Germany (Eifflaender-Gorfer, Weyerer); Department of Health Economics and Health Services Research, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Germany (König, Brettschneider); German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE), Bonn, Germany (Maier, Jessen).
The Article in Brief
Prognosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment in General Practice: Results of the German AgeCoDe Study
Marion Eisele , and colleagues
Background Mild cognitive impairment, a transitional state between normal and illness-related cognitive decline, is a common condition in the elderly. As part of the German Study on Aging, Cognition and Dementia in Primary Care Patients, this study investigated determinants of the course of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in primary care patients.
What This Study Found Among 357 primary care patients aged 75 years or older with a diagnosis of MCI without dementia, 42% had a remittent course (remission of symptoms and normal cognitive function at 1.5 and 3 years later) 21% had a fluctuating course (status changed between MCI and normal cognitive function), 15% had a stable course (impairment neither worsened to dementia nor improved to normal cognitive function), and 22% had a progressive course (developed to dementia). Patients were at higher risk of advancing from one course to the next along this spectrum if they had symptoms of depression, impairment in more than one cognitive domain, more severe cognitive impairment, and were older. Patients' performance on learning new material and the Geriatric Depression Scale helped predict a progressive versus a remittent course.
Implications
- In a 3-year period, about one-quarter of patients with MCI progress to dementia, while three-quarters of patients stay cognitively stable or improve. As a result, the authors suggest that patients should not be alarmed unnecessarily by a diagnosis of MCI.