Déficits cognitivos em idosos com comprometimento cognitive leve em dois anos de acompanhamento

Abstract

Characterizing cognitive decline in older adults with MCI over time is important to identify the cognitive profile of those who convert to dementia. Objective: This study examined the two-year cognitive trajectory of elderly adults diagnosed with MCI, from geriatrics and neurology outpatient clinics of a public hospital in Rio de Janeiro. Methods: 62 older adults with MCI were submitted to a neuropsychological battery and re-evaluated after two years. The Mann-Whitney U test was employed to assess differences between groups with respect to education, functioning, the Geriatric Depression Scale and diagnosis. Results: 24.2% converted to dementia after two years. The group with declines in two or more cognitive functions had a higher conversion rate to dementia than the group with decline in executive functions (EF) only (Z = –2.11, p = .04). The EF decline group had higher scores on the depression scale than both the memory decline group (Z = –1.99, p = .05) and multiple decline group (Z = –2.23, p = .03). Conclusion: The present study found different cognitive decline profiles in elderly adults with MCI and differences between them regarding depressive symptoms and rate of conversion to dementia.