Self-reported fatigue as a risk index for dementia diagnosis

Symeon H. Panagiotakis, Panagiotis Simos, Ioannis Zaganas, Maria Basta, Garyfalia S. Perysinaki, Nikolaos Fountoulakis, Maria Giaka, Stefania Kapetanaki, Irini Koutentaki, Antonios Bertsias, George Duijker, Nikolaos Scarmeas, Chariklia Tziraki, Christos Lionis, Alexandros Vgontzas, Dimitrios T. Boumpas

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Introduction: Cognitive impairment and frailty are major problems of older age. This study aims to explore the association between frailty and cognitive impairment in a rural cohort of older subjects in southern Europe (Cretan Aging Cohort). Methods: Community-based, primary care, cross-sectional, study in the Heraklion Prefecture, Crete, Greece. Four hundred and two persons aged 60–100 years from the Cretan Aging Cohort [100 with dementia, 175 with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 127 cognitively non-impaired] were enrolled, mostly rural dwellers (86.2%). Frailty was assessed with the Simple “Frail” Questionnaire Screening Tool. Demographic data, BMI, Mini-Mental State Examination scores (MMSE), severity of dementia according to the Clinical Dementia Rating Scale, and depressive symptoms according to the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) were recorded. Results: Frailty was present in 17% of persons with dementia (73.8% of mild severity), in 6.3% of persons with MCI and in 8.7% of cognitively non-impaired persons (P < 0.05). Among the various frailty variables, fatigue and difficulty walking were significantly more frequently reported by persons with dementia. Each frailty variable and the frailty score correlated negatively with MMSE score and positively with GDS score and polypharmacy. Multivariate analysis revealed that reported fatigue improved the identification of dementia in addition to MMSE, significantly and independently of symptoms of depression (P = 0.04). Conclusion: Frailty rates are significantly higher in persons with dementia. In this predominantly rural cohort of older subjects, reported fatigue could serve as a marker of physical decline and a complementary index for referral for further neuropsychological and neuropsychiatric evaluation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)211-217
Number of pages7
JournalEuropean Geriatric Medicine
Volume9
Issue number2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Apr 2018

Keywords

  • Cognitive impairment
  • Fatigue
  • Frailty

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