Accessibility / Report Error

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in a sample of adults in the city of Bogotá

COMPROMETIMENTO COGNITIVO LEVE (CCL) E DEMÊNCIA EM UMA AMOSTRA DE ADULTOS NA CIDADE DE BOGOTÁ

ABSTRACT

The low prevalence of dementia described in communities is likely due to the low sensitivity of screening tests and an absence of evaluation by specialists.

OBJECTIVE:

To estimate the prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in adults older than 50 years.

METHODS:

A two-phase, cross-sectional study was conducted by specialists to evaluate cognition and associated demographic risk factors in 1,235 independent community-dwelling adults from Bogotá. In Phase I, screening was performed using the MMSE and MoCA tests. In Phase II, after application of a comprehensive neuropsychological battery with neurologic and psychiatric evaluations, a cognitive diagnosis was established by consensus.

RESULTS:

The prevalence found for MCI was 34% and for dementia was 23%. MCI was associated with incomplete high school, OR=1.74 (95%CI=1.23-2.45), and with an age of 70-79 years, OR=1.93 (95%CI=1.47-2.53). A total of 73% of MCI cases were amnestic. Dementia was associated with incomplete primary education, OR=8.98 (95%CI=5.56-14.54), complete primary education, OR=6.23 (95%CI=3.70-10.47), and age older than eighty years, OR=3.49 (95%CI=2.23-5.44).

CONCLUSION:

The prevalence of dementia found was greater than the rates reported in previous studies. Low educational level was the main risk factor for cognitive impairment and should be considered in strategic planning for the local health system.

Key words:
dementia; mild cognitive impairment; prevalence

RESUMO

A baixa prevalência de demência relatada em comunidades deve ser devida ao emprego de testes de rastreio de baixa sensibilidade e à falta da avaliação por especialistas.

OBJETIVO:

Estimar a prevalência de comprometimento cognitivo leve (CCL) e demência em adultos com idade superior a 50 anos.

MÉTODOS:

Um estudo transversal de duas fases realizado por especialistas, avaliando a cognição e os fatores de risco demográficos associados, com 1.235 adultos autônomos da comunidade em Bogotá. Em uma Fase I, foram realizados os testes de rastreio MEEM e MoCA. Na Fase II, após uma ampla bateria neuropsicológica com avaliações neurológicas e psiquiátricas, foi estabelecido um diagnóstico cognitivo por consenso.

RESULTADOS:

A prevalência encontrada de CCL foi de 34% e de demência, de 23%. CCL foi associado a ensino médio incompleto, OR=1,74 (IC 95%=1,23-2,45) e idade entre 70-79 anos, OR=1,93 (IC 95%=1,47-2,53). Entre os casos de CCL, 73% eram amnésticos. A demência foi associada a ensino fundamental incompleto, OR=8,98 (IC 95%=5,56-14,54), ensino fundamental completo, OR=6,23 (IC 95%=3,70-10,47) e idade superior a oitenta anos, OR=3,49 (IC 95%=2,23-5,44).

CONCLUSÃO:

A prevalência de demência encontrada é maior do que a relatada em estudos prévios. O baixo nível educacional foi o principal fator de risco para declínio cognitivo e deve ser considerado no planejamento estratégico do nosso sistema de saúde.

Palavras-chave:
demência; comprometimento cognitivo leve; prevalência

INTRODUCTION

World aging is a major concern, and Latin America, including Colombia, is aging faster than the Old World and the U.S.A.11 Wimo A, Winblad B, Jonsson L. The worldwide societal costs of dementia: Estimates for 2009. Alzheimers Dement. 2010;6(2):98-103. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) published in 2012, by 2050, four out of five people aged 60 or older will reside in developing countries.22 World Health Organization (WHO). Dementia: A public health priority: 2012. http://www.who.int/en
http://www.who.int/en...
Under these circumstances, the occurrence of chronic and disabling diseases must be anticipated by health care systems. In 2013, Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) predicted an increase in the number of elderly dependents, set to triple from 101 million in 2010 to 277 million by 2050. Based on this scenario, almost half will suffer from dementia associated with Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia, and 71% of patients with dementia will reside in middle or low-income countries.33 Alzheimer´s Disease International (ADI). Policy brief: The Global Impact of Dementia 2013-2050. Report 2015. http://www.alz.co.uk/research/G8-policy-brief
http://www.alz.co.uk/research/G8-policy-...
,44 Prince M, Bryce R, Albanese E, Wimo A, Ribeiro W, Ferria C. The global prevalence of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Alzheimer Dement. 2013;(9):63-75, e2. According to reports published in 2010 by the Latin American and Caribbean Demographic Center (CELADE), the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC-CEPAL), and the Ministry of Health of Colombia, the projected aging index of the population in Colombia will increase from 20.9% in 2000 to 116.1% by 2050.55 Comisión económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL); Centro latinoamericano y caribeño de demografía (CELADE). Envejecimiento de la Población 1950 - 2050 [Population aging CEPAL - CELADE source - Aging of the population 1950 - 2050]. Colombian Health Ministry (Minsalud). 2012. http://www.cepal.org/publicaciones/xml/1/13371/lcg2211.pdf
http://www.cepal.org/publicaciones/xml/1...

The prevalence of dementia worldwide has been reported to be approximately 5 to 6% for most regions of the world and 8.5% in Latin America.44 Prince M, Bryce R, Albanese E, Wimo A, Ribeiro W, Ferria C. The global prevalence of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Alzheimer Dement. 2013;(9):63-75, e2. The dementia prevalence in previous Colombian studies ranges from 6 to 23%. The EPINEURO study published by Pradilla et al. in 2003, reported one of the lowest rates of dementia worldwide, at 13.1‰ of the general population.66 Pradilla A, Vesga A, León F, GENECO. National Neuroepidemiological study in Colombia (EPINEURO). Rev Panam Salud Pública. 2003;14 (2):104-11. In the study, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used as a screening instrument for dementia, which has low sensitivity for this task.77 Folstein M, Folstein S, McHugh P. Mini-mental state: A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychiatr Res. 1975;12(3):189-98.,88 Grigoletto F, Zappala G, Anderson D, Lebowitz B. Norms for the Mini-Mental State Examination in a healthy population. Neurology. 1999;53(2):315-20. In a second study published in 2013, Diaz et al. reported a 6% prevalence of cognitive impairment in 317 elderly people from the city of Manizales (Caldas) using a combination of several different, non-validated screening instruments.99 Díaz R, Marulanda F, Parra M, R Martínez MH. Prevalencia de deterioro cognitivo y demencia en mayores de 65 años en población urbana colombiana [Prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia in people over 65 years in an urban Colombian population]. Acta Neurol Colomb. 2013;29:141-51. Another study published in 2006 by Gooding et al. found a 23% prevalence of dementia in the elderly population of Huila, in a two-phase study using different instruments and a broader protocol.1010 Gooding M, Amaya E, Parra M, Ríos A. Prevalencia de las demencias en el municipio de Neiva 2003-2005 [Prevalence of dementia in the municipality of Neiva 2003-2005] Acta Neurol Colomb. 2006;22:243-8.

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered an intermediate state between the cognitive changes associated with normal aging and mild dementia.1111 Petersen R. Mild cognitive impairment as a diagnostic entity. J Intern Med. 2004;256(3):183-94. Its prevalence has been reported to be between 10 and 20% in people older than 65 years.1212 Petersen R, Roberts R, Knopman D, Geda Y, Cha R, Pankratz V, et al. Prevalence of mild cognitive impairment is higher in men: The Mayo Clinic Study of Aging: Neurology. 2010;75(10):889-97. The annual rate of progression to MCI in normal subjects has been estimated at between 1 and 4% annually, and subjects with MCI have an annual risk of 12% of developing dementia.44 Prince M, Bryce R, Albanese E, Wimo A, Ribeiro W, Ferria C. The global prevalence of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Alzheimer Dement. 2013;(9):63-75, e2. In 2010, Henao et al. published a study that evaluated 848 subjects older than 50 years in Medellin (Colombia) and reported a 9.7% prevalence of amnestic MCI with predominance in men; in the study, the CERAD instrument, including the MMSE, was used in addition to other more sensitive instruments validated by the Antioquia Neurosciences Group.1313 Henao E, Aguirre D, Muñoz C, Pineda D, Lopera F. Prevalencia de deterioro cognitivo leve de tipo amnésico en una población colombiana [Prevalence of amnestic type mild cognitive impairment in a Colombian population]. Rev Neurol. 2010;46:709-13.,1414 Henao E, Muñoz C, Aguirre D, Lara E, Pineda D, Lopera F. Datos normativos de pruebas neuropsicológicas en adultos mayores en una población Colombiana [Normative data of neuropsychological tests in older adults in a Colombian population]. Rev Chil de Neuropsicol. 2010;5(3):214-26.

There are many controversial studies that have analyzed the risk factors associated with MCI and dementia, such as increased age, gender, educational level, family history, and the APOE genotype.1515 Gao S, Hendrie H, Hall K, Hiu S. The Relationships Between Age, Sex, and the Incidence of Dementia and Alzheimer Disease. A Meta-analysis. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1998;55:809-15.

16 Di Carlo A, Baldereschi M, Amaducci L, Maggi S, Grigoletto F, Scarlato G, et al. Cognitive impairment without dementia in older people: Prevalence, vascular risk factors, impact on disability. The Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2000;48(7):775-82.

17 Artero S, Ancelin L, Portet F, Dupuy A, Berr C, Dartigues J, et al. Risk profiles for mild cognitive impairment and progression to dementia are gender specific. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2008;79:979-84.
-1818 Prencipe M, Casini A, Ferretti C, Lattanzio M, Fiorelli M, Culasso F. Prevalence of dementia in an elderly rural population: effects of age, sex, and education. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1996;60:628-33. Also, cardiovascular risk factors, especially in the middle-aged population, can decrease and change during the course of dementia if controlled.1919 Plassman B, Williams J, Burke J, Holsinger T, Benjamin S. Systematic Review: Factors Associated With Risk for and Possible Prevention of Cognitive Decline in Later Life. Ann Intern Med. 2010;153:182-93.

20 Goldstein F, Levey A, Steenland N. High Blood Pressure and Cognitive Decline in Mild Cognitive. J Am Geriatr Soc 2013;61:67-73.

21 Irie F, Fitzpatrick A, Lopez O, Kuller L, Peila R, Newman A, et al. Enhanced Risk for Alzheimer Disease in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes and APOE e4. The Cardiovascular Health Study Cognition Study. Arch Neurol. 2008;65(1):89-93.

22 Beydoun M, Beydoun H, Wang Y. Obesity and central obesity as risk factors for incident dementia and its subtypes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obes Rev. 2008;9:204-18.

23 Solomon A, Kivipelto M, Wolozin B, Zhou J, Whitmer R. Midlife Serum Cholesterol and Increased Risk of Alzheimer's and Vascular Dementia. Three Decades Later. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2009;28:75-80.
-2424 Barnes DE, Yafes K. The projected effect of risk factor reduction on Alzheimer's disease prevalence. Lancet Neurol. 2011;10:819-28. Our study aims to determine the prevalence of, and the demographic risk factors associated with, MCI and dementia in a sample of the adult population older than 50 years living in different locations of Bogotá.

METHODS

Design.

A cross-sectional study was conducted in two phases. The data was collected between 2012 and 2014.

Participants.

A minimum sample size of 1,095 adults over the age of 60 distributed across the different districts in the city was calculated. In addition to this sample, a group of adults aged 50-59 years who expressed willingness to participate in the study was also included.

Non-probability sampling was conducted involving all of the participants who agreed to be included in the study after receiving an invitation by letter sent to parish centers, retiree groups, cultural centers, and local and community action committees located in different districts of Bogotá. The inclusion criteria included independent and autonomous subjects over the age of fifty. The following exclusion criteria were used: prior history of psychiatric illness, subjects displaced due to violence, and subjects belonging to indigenous, illiterate, or institutionalized populations.

Procedure and instruments.

After an informed consent form was signed by the participants, the procedure was conducted in 2 phases as follows:

Phase I. 1,235 subjects were included (Figure 1) and groups no larger than 20 elderly adults, accompanied by a relative or caregiver, were invited to participate in a 1-hour evaluation at community centers in the neighborhoods of the respective location. Each research subject and their companion were seated facing the trained evaluator. A medicine or nursing evaluator administered questionnaires on: sociodemographic aspects, clinical history and risk factors, clinical criteria of the DSM-IV for dementia, and memory complaint2525 American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders DSM-IV. 1994.,2626 Cano C, Ruiz A, Plata S, Matallana D, Montañes P, Benito M, et al. Capacidad operativa de una prueba de tamizado en el diagnóstico temprano de la Enfermedad de Alzheimer [Operational capacity of a screening test in early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease]. Rev Asoc Colomb Gerontol Geriatr. 2002:16(3):428-30. and functionality (Barthel index) questionnaires.2727 Mahoney FI, Barthel DW. Functional Evaluation: The Barthel Index. Md State Med J. 1965;14:61-5. The caregiver answered two additional questionnaires related to the participant, namely, the subjective memory complaints questionnaire (SMCQ) and the Zarit Burden Interview.2626 Cano C, Ruiz A, Plata S, Matallana D, Montañes P, Benito M, et al. Capacidad operativa de una prueba de tamizado en el diagnóstico temprano de la Enfermedad de Alzheimer [Operational capacity of a screening test in early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease]. Rev Asoc Colomb Gerontol Geriatr. 2002:16(3):428-30.,2828 Bedard M, Molloy DW, Squire L, Dubois S, Lever JA, O'Donnell M. The Zarit Burden Interview: a new short version and screening version. Gerontologist. 2001;41(5):652-7. Additionally, a psychologist administered the subjective memory complaints questionnaire (SMCQ),2626 Cano C, Ruiz A, Plata S, Matallana D, Montañes P, Benito M, et al. Capacidad operativa de una prueba de tamizado en el diagnóstico temprano de la Enfermedad de Alzheimer [Operational capacity of a screening test in early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease]. Rev Asoc Colomb Gerontol Geriatr. 2002:16(3):428-30. MoCA Test,2929 Nasreddine ZS, Phillips NA, Bedirian V, Charbonneau S, Whitehead V, Collin I et al. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA: a brief screening tool for mild cognitive impairment. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005; 53(4):695-9. MMSE,77 Folstein M, Folstein S, McHugh P. Mini-mental state: A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychiatr Res. 1975;12(3):189-98. and the Yesavage Depression Scale to the participants.3030 Yesavage J, Brink TL. Development and validation of a Geriatric Depression Screening Scale: a preliminary report. J Psychiatr Res. 1982-1983; 17(1):37-49.

Figure 1
Flowchart of inclusion of subjects in the study

To conclude Phase I, the different scores of the tests were obtained and calculated. Subjects scoring <26 on the MoCA and <24 on the MMSE, were invited to take part in the Phase II evaluation. In Phase II, the differences in results on these tests were clarified through assessment by consensus of specialists . During the Phase I evaluation, weight and size of participants were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI), and a peripheral blood sample was collected for DNA extraction and APOE genotyping.3131 Yang YG, Kim JY, Park SJ, Kim SW, Jeon OH, Kim DS. Apolipoprotein E genotyping by multiplex tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system PCR in single reaction tube. J Biotechnology. 2007;131(2):106-10.

Phase II. For this evaluation, the participant was invited by telephone, within 2-6 months of Phase I, to participate in Phase II together with their relative or caregiver. The evaluation of 423 subjects (Figure 1) was conducted at the hospital by researchers, specialists in neurology, psychiatry or neuropsychology or medical residents in family medicine trained to perform the Phase II protocol. The memory clinic protocol was applied to the subject comprising a review of the medical history, a neurological and psychiatric exam, and blood pressure measurements. Additionally, the Hachinski Ischemic Scale and the Clock-Drawing Test were administered by the medical group.3232 Hachinski VC, Lassen NA, Marshall J. Multi-infarct dementia. A cause of mental deterioration in the elderly. Lancet. 1974;2(7874):207-10.,3333 Tuokko HF, Hadjistavropoulos TF, Miller JA FAU, Beattie BL. The Clock Test: a sensitive measure to differentiate normal elderly from those with Alzheimer Dis.(0002-8614 (Print)). The neuropsychologic battery included: the Grober-Buschke memory test,3434 Grober E, Buschke H, Crystal H, Bang S, Dresner R. Screening for dementia by memory testing. Neurology. 1988;38(6):900-3. the language fluency test,3535 Tombaugh TN, Kozak J, Rees L. Normative data stratified by age and education for two measures of verbal fluency: FAS and animal naming. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 1999;14(2):167-77. the 64-item naming test,3636 Kaplan E, Goodglass H, Weintraub S. The Boston Naming Test. Experimental edition. Boston: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. 1978. the visuoconstructional and executive function tests, including the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Drawing Test,3737 Rey A. Test de copia de una figura compleja, Madrid, TEA. 1987. and the TMT-A.3838 Tombaught J. Trail Making test A and B: Normative data stratified by age and education. Arch Clin Neuropsichol. 2004;19(2):203-14. The psychiatric Battery also included: the Kertesz Frontal Behavioral Inventory,3939 Kertesz A, Davidson W, Fox H. Frontal behavioral inventory: diagnostic criteria for frontal lobe dementia. Can J Neurol Sci. 1997;24(1):29-36. and the Lawton (IADL) Scale,4040 Lawton MP, Rajagopal D, Brody E, Kleban MH. The dynamics of caregiving for a demented elder among black and white families. J Gerontol. 1992;47(4):S156-64. administered to the relative or caregiver, collecting information about the participant. Finally, the cognitive state of each participant was determined by consensus of the medical and psychologists group, and was classified as normal cognition, MCI, or dementia, according to the different clinical results. The diagnosis of dementia was established according to the DSM-IV criteria2525 American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders DSM-IV. 1994. and of MCI according to the Petersen criteria.1111 Petersen R. Mild cognitive impairment as a diagnostic entity. J Intern Med. 2004;256(3):183-94. The MMSE and MoCA tests were again administered to each participant in a manner that was independent and blinded to the diagnosis; the cut-off point proposed for the MoCA test was used.4141 Pedraza OL, Salazar AM, Sierra FA, Soler D, Castro J, Castillo P, et al. Confiabilidad, validez de criterio y discriminante del Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test, en un grupo de Adultos de Bogotá. Acta Medica Col. 2016;41(4):221-8.

Statistical analysis.

To calculate the minimum sample size of individuals older than sixty needed in this study to provide a valid estimation of the prevalence of dementia, the number of elderly in Bogotá, and the percentages of dementia prevalence described in the literature by age categories, were considered. According to the 2005 census, elderly represented 6.7% of the total population. A type I error was assumed for 0.05 and a power of 80%.

To describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of the participants, absolute and relative frequencies were used in the case of qualitative variables, and measures of central tendency with dispersion were used in the case of quantitative variables.

Prevalence of the MCI and dementia sub-types was described by absolute and relative frequencies. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated by age and by educational level per diagnosis established by consensus and MoCA test scores.

Characterization of the associated risk factors for MCI and dementia was conducted by means of logistic regression; the dependent variable was the diagnosis (MCI versus normal or dementia versus normal), and the independent variables were the factors described in the literature (comorbidities, age, gender and educational level); the OR was calculated with a confidence interval of 95%. Analyses were performed using the Stata 12® statistical package.

This study was approved by the Ethics and Research Committees of the School of Medicine of the Health Sciences Foundation (FUCS) and met the requirements of the Declaration of Helsinki and resolution 8430 of 1993 on ethics in research on human beings in Colombia.

RESULTS

In Phase I, 1,235 adults from 19 districts in Bogota were evaluated. A flowchart outlining the process of recruitment and evaluation of the patients in the two phases is shown in Figure 1. Seventy-five percent (75%) of the participants were women; the mean age of the group was 68 years (SD 8.6), and the mean educational level was 8 years (SD 6.0). A total of 325 (26%) subjects had an MMSE score <24, and 933 (76%) subjects had an MoCA test score <26. The latter group included all subjects with an MMSE score <24. There were 302 subjects (24%) with an MoCA test score ≥26, and these were considered as having normal cognition (Table 1). Of the 933 subjects with an MoCA score <26, only 762 could be contacted and agreed to participate in Phase II (Figure 1).

Table 1
Sociodemographic data of subjects with normal MoCA (≥26) in Phase I, and of subjects attending Phase II (MoCA<26), with cognitive diagnosis established by consensus.

Ultimately, in Phase II only 423 subjects were evaluated; 315 (74%) were women. The consensus diagnosis of the cognitive state of this group, revealed that 152 (36%) subjects were cognitively normal, and 166 (39%) subjects presented MCI according to the Petersen criteria, had a memory complaint corroborated by the companion, and neuropsychological test scores 1.5 SD below expected, with preserved functionality and no dementia. A further 105 (25%) subjects presented dementia (DSM-IV criteria) (Table 1).

Of the 510 subjects not participating in Phase II, 171 could not be contacted, and 339 did not attend the scheduled appointment (Figure 1); to establish a diagnosis in this group, their Phase I results were analyzed regarding age, education, criteria for MCI and dementia, medical history and sociodemographic aspects obtained from the questionnaires, and the scores obtained for each item on the MMSE and MoCA tests using the cut-off point from the MoCA validation (MCI <22 and dementia <18),4141 Pedraza OL, Salazar AM, Sierra FA, Soler D, Castro J, Castillo P, et al. Confiabilidad, validez de criterio y discriminante del Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test, en un grupo de Adultos de Bogotá. Acta Medica Col. 2016;41(4):221-8. and on the SMCQ(s), Yesavage scale, Barthel Index and responses given by the companion for the SMCQ(c). In an analysis, the means on the MoCA and MMSE were also compared for subjects attending and not attending Phase II, revealing no difference.

For the total group of 1,235 subjects, normal cognitive function was found in 43% of the adults, 34% were diagnosed with MCI and 23% with dementia (Table 2). These findings with regards to MCI and dementia are higher than rates reported by previous authors.44 Prince M, Bryce R, Albanese E, Wimo A, Ribeiro W, Ferria C. The global prevalence of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Alzheimer Dement. 2013;(9):63-75, e2.,66 Pradilla A, Vesga A, León F, GENECO. National Neuroepidemiological study in Colombia (EPINEURO). Rev Panam Salud Pública. 2003;14 (2):104-11.,99 Díaz R, Marulanda F, Parra M, R Martínez MH. Prevalencia de deterioro cognitivo y demencia en mayores de 65 años en población urbana colombiana [Prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia in people over 65 years in an urban Colombian population]. Acta Neurol Colomb. 2013;29:141-51.,1515 Gao S, Hendrie H, Hall K, Hiu S. The Relationships Between Age, Sex, and the Incidence of Dementia and Alzheimer Disease. A Meta-analysis. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1998;55:809-15.

Table 2
Prevalence of MCI and dementia by gender, age and educational level in the 1,235 subjects.

Regarding MCI, the frequency of amnestic MCI was 73%, proving the most frequent type for both genders. Non-amnestic MCI tended to occur in younger individuals (50 to 69 years), and in subjects with low education (Table 3).

Table 3
Prevalence of amnestic and non-amnestic MCI by gender, age and educational level.

Regarding the analysis of risk factors, dementia was associated with a low educational level, such as incomplete primary education, OR=8.98 (95% CI=5.56-14.54), complete primary education, OR=6.23 (95% CI=3.70-10.47), incomplete high school, OR=2.50 (95% CI=1.35-4.59), and with age older than 80 years, OR=3.49 (95% CI= 2.23-5.44).

DISCUSSION

Bogotá is a metropolis that has always had a large Colombian population, which migrated or was displaced because of socioeconomic or political circumstances. According to the secretary of planning of Bogotá, the population in 2016 was 7,878,783 persons. Older adults represented 11.4% of the population and had an average of 5.5 years of education. A prevalence of dementia of 23% was found, greatly surpassing the 13.1% and 6% reported for Colombia.66 Pradilla A, Vesga A, León F, GENECO. National Neuroepidemiological study in Colombia (EPINEURO). Rev Panam Salud Pública. 2003;14 (2):104-11.,99 Díaz R, Marulanda F, Parra M, R Martínez MH. Prevalencia de deterioro cognitivo y demencia en mayores de 65 años en población urbana colombiana [Prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia in people over 65 years in an urban Colombian population]. Acta Neurol Colomb. 2013;29:141-51. Recently, Brazil reported a higher prevalence of dementia of 17.5%,4242 Cesar K, Brucki S, Takada L, Nascimento L, Gomes C, Almeida M, et al. Prevalence of Cognitive Impairment Without Dementia and Dementia in Tremembé, Brazil. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 2016;30(3): 264-71. compared to previous studies, in the elderly population (average 71 years) together with low levels of education (mean 4.9 years).4141 Pedraza OL, Salazar AM, Sierra FA, Soler D, Castro J, Castillo P, et al. Confiabilidad, validez de criterio y discriminante del Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test, en un grupo de Adultos de Bogotá. Acta Medica Col. 2016;41(4):221-8. Peru reported a dementia prevalence of 6.85%,4343 Custodio N, García A, Montesinos R, Escobar J, Bendezú L. Prevalencia de demencia en una población urbana de Lima-Perú: estudio puerta a puerta [Prevalence of dementia in an urban population of Lima, Peru: a door to door study]. An Fac Med. 2008;69(4):233-8. while the figure estimated for Latin America is 8.5%.44 Prince M, Bryce R, Albanese E, Wimo A, Ribeiro W, Ferria C. The global prevalence of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Alzheimer Dement. 2013;(9):63-75, e2. These studies used a wide variety of instruments, some of which were validated by the research groups themselves while others were validated by studies conducted in countries with similar languages. Unfortunately, in previous studies, the MMSE has been used as a screening test for dementia in spite of its low sensitivity.66 Pradilla A, Vesga A, León F, GENECO. National Neuroepidemiological study in Colombia (EPINEURO). Rev Panam Salud Pública. 2003;14 (2):104-11.,88 Grigoletto F, Zappala G, Anderson D, Lebowitz B. Norms for the Mini-Mental State Examination in a healthy population. Neurology. 1999;53(2):315-20.

Furthermore, the marked differences published in these studies on the prevalence of dementia may be attributed to the different diagnostic criteria, study populations, methodologies and instruments used. This holds true particularly for the screening tools used to select the subjects suspected of having cognitive impairment, such as the MMSE, which are most likely responsible for the low prevalence described in many of these studies. Erkinjuntti et al. reported a prevalence of dementia of 3.1% when applying the ICD-10 criteria and of 29.1% when using the DSM-III criteria.4444 Erkinjuntti T, Ostbye T, Steenhuis R, Hachinski V. The effect of different diagnostic criteria on the prevalence of dementia. N Engl J Med. 1997; 337(23):1667. In his 10/66 study, Prince proposed the use of instruments that have been validated in developing countries, as well as clinical criteria such as the DSM-IV, the CIE-10, but also the MMSE from the CERAD battery, widely used in screening studies for the detection of dementia, but also having low sensitivity.4545 Prince M, Acosta D, Chiu H, Scazufca M, Varghese M. Dementia diagnosis in developing countries: a cross-cultural validation study. Lancet. 2003;361(9361):909-17. The prevalence of dementia using the standardized DSM-IV and the instruments employed by the 10/66 group (CERAD) was 6.4% in Cuba and 11.7% in the Dominican Republic.4646 Llibre J, Valhuerdi A, Sanchez I, Reyna C, Guerra M, Copeland J, et al. The prevalence, correlates and impact of dementia in Cuba. Neuroepidemiology. 2008;31:243-51.,4747 Llibre J, Ferri C, Acosta D, Guerra M, Huang Y, Jacob K, et al. Prevalence of dementia in Latin America, India, and China: a population-based cross-sectional survey. Lancet. 2008;372(9637):464-74. The 10/66 group study administered the Community Screening Interview for Dementia (CSID), CERAD and Geriatric Mental State (GMS);4545 Prince M, Acosta D, Chiu H, Scazufca M, Varghese M. Dementia diagnosis in developing countries: a cross-cultural validation study. Lancet. 2003;361(9361):909-17. but, a study comparing results on the prevalence of dementia for the 10/66 instruments versus the DSM-IV revealed some major differences in the results for each instrument.4848 Jacob KS. Medicine and Society. Dementia assessment: A review of studies from Vellore and perspectives. Natl Med J India. 2014;27:95-8. We believe that our use of the MoCA test, an instrument with high sensitivity and specificity, adopting the cut-off point determined by the author (<26), in a community population with a low educational level, led to a significant number of false positives (18% in the present sample), subsequently selected for Phase II. However, the application of the memory clinic protocol, allowed a correct diagnosis classification with the consensus diagnosis, thereby reducing the bias of the MoCA test in low educated individuals, as was the case with the 423 subjects evaluated in Phase II. In an interim analysis, we compared the means of MoCA between subjects attending and not- attending Phase II, and found no significant differences. The 510 subjects who did not participate in Phase II were evaluated using our validated cut-off point for the MoCA test, analyzing the memory complaint questionnaires and the clinical criteria from their history.4141 Pedraza OL, Salazar AM, Sierra FA, Soler D, Castro J, Castillo P, et al. Confiabilidad, validez de criterio y discriminante del Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test, en un grupo de Adultos de Bogotá. Acta Medica Col. 2016;41(4):221-8.

Our results confirm the findings described by Gooding et al., 2006, who conducted a study screening with an extended version of the MMSE and an extended neuropsychological battery applied by specialists in a Neiva population with a low educational level, reporting a dementia prevalence of 23.6%.1010 Gooding M, Amaya E, Parra M, Ríos A. Prevalencia de las demencias en el municipio de Neiva 2003-2005 [Prevalence of dementia in the municipality of Neiva 2003-2005] Acta Neurol Colomb. 2006;22:243-8.

The MCI prevalence of 34% in our sample also greatly exceeded the 9.4% prevalence reported by Henao et al.. This difference may be due to a bias in the sample of the Henao study, which would not be represented in the community population from Medellín.1313 Henao E, Aguirre D, Muñoz C, Pineda D, Lopera F. Prevalencia de deterioro cognitivo leve de tipo amnésico en una población colombiana [Prevalence of amnestic type mild cognitive impairment in a Colombian population]. Rev Neurol. 2010;46:709-13. However, the prevalence of MCI has been reported to be as great as 42% in other community studies.1414 Henao E, Muñoz C, Aguirre D, Lara E, Pineda D, Lopera F. Datos normativos de pruebas neuropsicológicas en adultos mayores en una población Colombiana [Normative data of neuropsychological tests in older adults in a Colombian population]. Rev Chil de Neuropsicol. 2010;5(3):214-26.

The MCI found in our study showed that the amnestic type was the most common form for both genders and that the non-amnestic form was not more frequent in men.1212 Petersen R, Roberts R, Knopman D, Geda Y, Cha R, Pankratz V, et al. Prevalence of mild cognitive impairment is higher in men: The Mayo Clinic Study of Aging: Neurology. 2010;75(10):889-97. A longitudinal follow-up of the population with normal cognition or with MCI will allow not only a prevention intervention, but an understanding of the relationship of cognitive impairment with the risk factors, different to the level of education.

Finally, late-onset dementia has been associated with carriers of genetic factors, such as being homozygous or heterozygous for the APOE4 allele. This allele is considered to be responsible for 50% of late-onset Alzheimer dementia (AD).4949 Corder EH, Saunders AM, Strittmatter WJ, Schmechel DE, Gaskell PC, Small GW, et al. Gene dose of apolipoprotein E type 4 allele and the risk of Alzheimer's disease in late onset families. Science. 1993;261(5123):921-3. In Colombia, an association between APOE4 and late-onset AD with a risk of 5.1% has been reported;5050 Jacquier M, Arango D, Villareal E, Torres O, Serrano M, Cruts M, et al. APOE epsilon4 and Alzheimer's disease: positive association in a Colombian clinical series and review of the Latin-American studies. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2001;59(1):11-7. currently, we are evaluating the association of APOE4 with cognitive impairment among the subjects from the present study sample, and the association of their cardiometabolic risk factors are discussed in a recent paper.5151 Pedraza OL, Perilla HJ, Cruz A, Botero J, Montalvo MC, Salazar AM, et al. Deterioro cognitivo y factores de riesgo cardiovascular y metabólico, en una muestra de adultos de Bogotá. Acta Neurol Colomb. 2016;32(2):91-99.

Given the impact of the high prevalence of cognitive impairment in the adult population of Bogotá, we must take into account our local data when establishing priorities and economic resources for health prevention policies; this could also be done by the research groups of universities.

To conclude, the prevalence of MCI and dementia found in this study was higher than that reported for Latin America. A low education level in our older population appears to be the main risk factor for cognitive impairment and should be seriously considered by our health care system. These recent studies from Latin America suggest that the epidemic of dementia is more serious than previously thought, and that the economic calculations for its prevention and management should be reviewed in our health systems.

  • Source of funding.
    This project received a grant from the fundacion universitaria de ciencias de la salud (fucs) and the El Bosque University
  • This study was conducted at the Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud (FUCS) Bogotá, Colombia.

Acknowledgements

We thanks the elderly adults, their companions and the leaders of the districts who collaborated with us; to the medical and nursing students from the Fundación Universitaria de Ciencias de la Salud (FUCS) and psychology students from El Bosque University; Dr. Ingrid Arévalo, for her support in methodology, Dr. Erick Sánchez and psychologist Paula Galvis, for his support in the fieldwork.

REFERENCES

  • 1
    Wimo A, Winblad B, Jonsson L. The worldwide societal costs of dementia: Estimates for 2009. Alzheimers Dement. 2010;6(2):98-103.
  • 2
    World Health Organization (WHO). Dementia: A public health priority: 2012. http://www.who.int/en
    » http://www.who.int/en
  • 3
    Alzheimer´s Disease International (ADI). Policy brief: The Global Impact of Dementia 2013-2050. Report 2015. http://www.alz.co.uk/research/G8-policy-brief
    » http://www.alz.co.uk/research/G8-policy-brief
  • 4
    Prince M, Bryce R, Albanese E, Wimo A, Ribeiro W, Ferria C. The global prevalence of dementia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Alzheimer Dement. 2013;(9):63-75, e2.
  • 5
    Comisión económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL); Centro latinoamericano y caribeño de demografía (CELADE). Envejecimiento de la Población 1950 - 2050 [Population aging CEPAL - CELADE source - Aging of the population 1950 - 2050]. Colombian Health Ministry (Minsalud). 2012. http://www.cepal.org/publicaciones/xml/1/13371/lcg2211.pdf
    » http://www.cepal.org/publicaciones/xml/1/13371/lcg2211.pdf
  • 6
    Pradilla A, Vesga A, León F, GENECO. National Neuroepidemiological study in Colombia (EPINEURO). Rev Panam Salud Pública. 2003;14 (2):104-11.
  • 7
    Folstein M, Folstein S, McHugh P. Mini-mental state: A practical method for grading the cognitive state of patients for the clinician. J Psychiatr Res. 1975;12(3):189-98.
  • 8
    Grigoletto F, Zappala G, Anderson D, Lebowitz B. Norms for the Mini-Mental State Examination in a healthy population. Neurology. 1999;53(2):315-20.
  • 9
    Díaz R, Marulanda F, Parra M, R Martínez MH. Prevalencia de deterioro cognitivo y demencia en mayores de 65 años en población urbana colombiana [Prevalence of cognitive impairment and dementia in people over 65 years in an urban Colombian population]. Acta Neurol Colomb. 2013;29:141-51.
  • 10
    Gooding M, Amaya E, Parra M, Ríos A. Prevalencia de las demencias en el municipio de Neiva 2003-2005 [Prevalence of dementia in the municipality of Neiva 2003-2005] Acta Neurol Colomb. 2006;22:243-8.
  • 11
    Petersen R. Mild cognitive impairment as a diagnostic entity. J Intern Med. 2004;256(3):183-94.
  • 12
    Petersen R, Roberts R, Knopman D, Geda Y, Cha R, Pankratz V, et al. Prevalence of mild cognitive impairment is higher in men: The Mayo Clinic Study of Aging: Neurology. 2010;75(10):889-97.
  • 13
    Henao E, Aguirre D, Muñoz C, Pineda D, Lopera F. Prevalencia de deterioro cognitivo leve de tipo amnésico en una población colombiana [Prevalence of amnestic type mild cognitive impairment in a Colombian population]. Rev Neurol. 2010;46:709-13.
  • 14
    Henao E, Muñoz C, Aguirre D, Lara E, Pineda D, Lopera F. Datos normativos de pruebas neuropsicológicas en adultos mayores en una población Colombiana [Normative data of neuropsychological tests in older adults in a Colombian population]. Rev Chil de Neuropsicol. 2010;5(3):214-26.
  • 15
    Gao S, Hendrie H, Hall K, Hiu S. The Relationships Between Age, Sex, and the Incidence of Dementia and Alzheimer Disease. A Meta-analysis. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 1998;55:809-15.
  • 16
    Di Carlo A, Baldereschi M, Amaducci L, Maggi S, Grigoletto F, Scarlato G, et al. Cognitive impairment without dementia in older people: Prevalence, vascular risk factors, impact on disability. The Italian Longitudinal Study on Aging. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2000;48(7):775-82.
  • 17
    Artero S, Ancelin L, Portet F, Dupuy A, Berr C, Dartigues J, et al. Risk profiles for mild cognitive impairment and progression to dementia are gender specific. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 2008;79:979-84.
  • 18
    Prencipe M, Casini A, Ferretti C, Lattanzio M, Fiorelli M, Culasso F. Prevalence of dementia in an elderly rural population: effects of age, sex, and education. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry. 1996;60:628-33.
  • 19
    Plassman B, Williams J, Burke J, Holsinger T, Benjamin S. Systematic Review: Factors Associated With Risk for and Possible Prevention of Cognitive Decline in Later Life. Ann Intern Med. 2010;153:182-93.
  • 20
    Goldstein F, Levey A, Steenland N. High Blood Pressure and Cognitive Decline in Mild Cognitive. J Am Geriatr Soc 2013;61:67-73.
  • 21
    Irie F, Fitzpatrick A, Lopez O, Kuller L, Peila R, Newman A, et al. Enhanced Risk for Alzheimer Disease in Persons with Type 2 Diabetes and APOE e4. The Cardiovascular Health Study Cognition Study. Arch Neurol. 2008;65(1):89-93.
  • 22
    Beydoun M, Beydoun H, Wang Y. Obesity and central obesity as risk factors for incident dementia and its subtypes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Obes Rev. 2008;9:204-18.
  • 23
    Solomon A, Kivipelto M, Wolozin B, Zhou J, Whitmer R. Midlife Serum Cholesterol and Increased Risk of Alzheimer's and Vascular Dementia. Three Decades Later. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2009;28:75-80.
  • 24
    Barnes DE, Yafes K. The projected effect of risk factor reduction on Alzheimer's disease prevalence. Lancet Neurol. 2011;10:819-28.
  • 25
    American Psychiatric Association: Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders DSM-IV. 1994.
  • 26
    Cano C, Ruiz A, Plata S, Matallana D, Montañes P, Benito M, et al. Capacidad operativa de una prueba de tamizado en el diagnóstico temprano de la Enfermedad de Alzheimer [Operational capacity of a screening test in early diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease]. Rev Asoc Colomb Gerontol Geriatr. 2002:16(3):428-30.
  • 27
    Mahoney FI, Barthel DW. Functional Evaluation: The Barthel Index. Md State Med J. 1965;14:61-5.
  • 28
    Bedard M, Molloy DW, Squire L, Dubois S, Lever JA, O'Donnell M. The Zarit Burden Interview: a new short version and screening version. Gerontologist. 2001;41(5):652-7.
  • 29
    Nasreddine ZS, Phillips NA, Bedirian V, Charbonneau S, Whitehead V, Collin I et al. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment, MoCA: a brief screening tool for mild cognitive impairment. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2005; 53(4):695-9.
  • 30
    Yesavage J, Brink TL. Development and validation of a Geriatric Depression Screening Scale: a preliminary report. J Psychiatr Res. 1982-1983; 17(1):37-49.
  • 31
    Yang YG, Kim JY, Park SJ, Kim SW, Jeon OH, Kim DS. Apolipoprotein E genotyping by multiplex tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system PCR in single reaction tube. J Biotechnology. 2007;131(2):106-10.
  • 32
    Hachinski VC, Lassen NA, Marshall J. Multi-infarct dementia. A cause of mental deterioration in the elderly. Lancet. 1974;2(7874):207-10.
  • 33
    Tuokko HF, Hadjistavropoulos TF, Miller JA FAU, Beattie BL. The Clock Test: a sensitive measure to differentiate normal elderly from those with Alzheimer Dis.(0002-8614 (Print)).
  • 34
    Grober E, Buschke H, Crystal H, Bang S, Dresner R. Screening for dementia by memory testing. Neurology. 1988;38(6):900-3.
  • 35
    Tombaugh TN, Kozak J, Rees L. Normative data stratified by age and education for two measures of verbal fluency: FAS and animal naming. Arch Clin Neuropsychol. 1999;14(2):167-77.
  • 36
    Kaplan E, Goodglass H, Weintraub S. The Boston Naming Test. Experimental edition. Boston: Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. 1978.
  • 37
    Rey A. Test de copia de una figura compleja, Madrid, TEA. 1987.
  • 38
    Tombaught J. Trail Making test A and B: Normative data stratified by age and education. Arch Clin Neuropsichol. 2004;19(2):203-14.
  • 39
    Kertesz A, Davidson W, Fox H. Frontal behavioral inventory: diagnostic criteria for frontal lobe dementia. Can J Neurol Sci. 1997;24(1):29-36.
  • 40
    Lawton MP, Rajagopal D, Brody E, Kleban MH. The dynamics of caregiving for a demented elder among black and white families. J Gerontol. 1992;47(4):S156-64.
  • 41
    Pedraza OL, Salazar AM, Sierra FA, Soler D, Castro J, Castillo P, et al. Confiabilidad, validez de criterio y discriminante del Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test, en un grupo de Adultos de Bogotá. Acta Medica Col. 2016;41(4):221-8.
  • 42
    Cesar K, Brucki S, Takada L, Nascimento L, Gomes C, Almeida M, et al. Prevalence of Cognitive Impairment Without Dementia and Dementia in Tremembé, Brazil. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 2016;30(3): 264-71.
  • 43
    Custodio N, García A, Montesinos R, Escobar J, Bendezú L. Prevalencia de demencia en una población urbana de Lima-Perú: estudio puerta a puerta [Prevalence of dementia in an urban population of Lima, Peru: a door to door study]. An Fac Med. 2008;69(4):233-8.
  • 44
    Erkinjuntti T, Ostbye T, Steenhuis R, Hachinski V. The effect of different diagnostic criteria on the prevalence of dementia. N Engl J Med. 1997; 337(23):1667.
  • 45
    Prince M, Acosta D, Chiu H, Scazufca M, Varghese M. Dementia diagnosis in developing countries: a cross-cultural validation study. Lancet. 2003;361(9361):909-17.
  • 46
    Llibre J, Valhuerdi A, Sanchez I, Reyna C, Guerra M, Copeland J, et al. The prevalence, correlates and impact of dementia in Cuba. Neuroepidemiology. 2008;31:243-51.
  • 47
    Llibre J, Ferri C, Acosta D, Guerra M, Huang Y, Jacob K, et al. Prevalence of dementia in Latin America, India, and China: a population-based cross-sectional survey. Lancet. 2008;372(9637):464-74.
  • 48
    Jacob KS. Medicine and Society. Dementia assessment: A review of studies from Vellore and perspectives. Natl Med J India. 2014;27:95-8.
  • 49
    Corder EH, Saunders AM, Strittmatter WJ, Schmechel DE, Gaskell PC, Small GW, et al. Gene dose of apolipoprotein E type 4 allele and the risk of Alzheimer's disease in late onset families. Science. 1993;261(5123):921-3.
  • 50
    Jacquier M, Arango D, Villareal E, Torres O, Serrano M, Cruts M, et al. APOE epsilon4 and Alzheimer's disease: positive association in a Colombian clinical series and review of the Latin-American studies. Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2001;59(1):11-7.
  • 51
    Pedraza OL, Perilla HJ, Cruz A, Botero J, Montalvo MC, Salazar AM, et al. Deterioro cognitivo y factores de riesgo cardiovascular y metabólico, en una muestra de adultos de Bogotá. Acta Neurol Colomb. 2016;32(2):91-99.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Jul-Sep 2017

History

  • Received
    20 Feb 2017
  • Accepted
    29 June 2017
Academia Brasileira de Neurologia, Departamento de Neurologia Cognitiva e Envelhecimento R. Vergueiro, 1353 sl.1404 - Ed. Top Towers Offices, Torre Norte, São Paulo, SP, Brazil, CEP 04101-000, Tel.: +55 11 5084-9463 | +55 11 5083-3876 - São Paulo - SP - Brazil
E-mail: revistadementia@abneuro.org.br | demneuropsy@uol.com.br