Predictive value of Mild Cognitive Impairment for dementia: the influence of case definition and age.

M.A.E. Baars*, M.P.J. van Boxtel, J.B. Dijkstra, P.J. Visser, M. van den Akker, F.R.J. Verhey, J. Jolles

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background/Aims: In population studies, different mild cognitive impairment (MCI) definitions have been used to predict dementia at a later stage. This study compared predictive values of different MCI definitions for dementia, and the effect of age on the predictive values was investigated. Methods: This study was conducted as part of an ongoing longitudinal study into the determinants of cognitive aging, the Maastricht Aging Study. Results: MCI best predicted dementia when multiple cognitive domains were considered and subjective complaints were not (sensitivity: 0.66, specificity: 0.78). Age had a strong influence on the sensitivity of MCI for dementia (age 60-70 years: sensitivity = 0.56; age 70-85 years: sensitivity = 0.70). Conclusion: The inclusion of multiple cognitive domains and participants aged 70 years and older leads to the best prediction of dementia, regardless of subjective complaints.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)173-181
JournalDementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders
Volume27
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2009

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