Cognitive impairment impacts longevity

Cognitive impairment has an impact on life expectancy, similar to that of chronic conditions such as diabetes or heart failure.

According to a new study conducted by researchers at Indiana University in America, reduced life expectancy in patients with cognitive impairment should be considered in medical decisions made by health professionals, such as advance care planning, cancer screening and the prescribing of medications.

About 4,000 patients between the ages of 60 and 102 years old were followed for more than a decade, with results showing mild cognitive impairment, diagnosed using a simple screening tool, impacted on a person’s life span.

Chief investigator, Greg Sachs, said the patients in their study “better reflect the general public” whereas previous studies have associated cognitive impairment with an increased risk of death. However, most of this latest work focused on patients with Alzheimer’s disease and subjects in research centres, researchers claim.

A survey comprising 10 questions was given to the patients who were, based on their scores, categorised as having no cognitive impairment, mild, or moderate to severe cognitive difficulties.

At the initial screening, 3,157 participants had no cognitive impairment, 533 had mild impairment, and 267 had moderate to severe impairment.

The follow-up showed 57% of patients with no cognitive impairments had died, compared with the 68% death rate in mildly impaired patients, and 79% of those with moderate to severe impairment.

According to researchers, as the world’s population ages, the results may help to show that primary care practices should be given higher priority and more thought to be put in to those suffering with cognitive impairments such as dementia.