Alzheimer's and Even Mild Dementia Has... ( But researchers determine that race h...)

Alzheimer's and Even Mild Dementia Hasten Death

Date:6/9/2009

But researchers determine that race has no bearing on life expectancy in such cases

TUESDAY, June 9 (HealthDay News) -- Older adults with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease have a shorter life span than other older adults, but the risk of death is no greater for whites or blacks, a new study says.

The study, conducted by researchers at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, contradicts earlier information indicating blacks with Alzheimer's live longer than whites with the disease.

Researchers examined 1,715 older adults with an average age of 80 from four adjacent neighborhoods in Chicago. About 52 percent of participants were black.

Each participant had a clinical evaluation that included medical history, a neurological examination and a series of thinking, learning and memory tests to determine cognitive function.

About 17.3 percent were found to have Alzheimer's disease, 34.8 percent had mild cognitive impairment, 1.2 percent had other forms of dementia and 46.8 percent had no cognitive impairment.

During up to 10 years of follow-up, 37 percent of the participants died, including 25.8 percent of those without cognitive impairment, 40.4 percent of those with mild cognitive impairment, 59.1 percent of those with Alzheimer's disease and 60 percent of those with other forms of dementia.

Those with Alzheimer's disease had a three-fold greater risk of dying compared to those not experiencing cognitive function problems. Those with mild cognitive impairment were 50 percent more likely to die. The risk of death increased as cognitive impairment became more severe.

The study appears in the June issue of Archives of Neurology.

Alzheimer's disease reduces life expectancy and has emerged as a leading cause of death in the United States, according to the study.

Two previous national surveys found that life expectancy among black Alzheime
'/>"/>

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2
Related medicine news :

1. Alzheimers Research Target May Be a Dead End
2. Dementia drugs may put some patients at risk, Queens study shows
3. Biomarkers May Help Measure Rate of Decline in Dementia
4. A light bulb moment for people with dementia
5. Dementia: Early detection is key
6. Vigilan Honors National Nurse Week in Assisted Living, Independent Living and Dementia Care
7. Drink Away Dementia?
8. Painkillers May Not Protect Against Dementia
9. Yerkes researchers use eye tracking to detect mild dementia in humans
10. Severe Low Blood Sugar Ups Older Diabetics Dementia Risk
11. Low Blood Sugar Events Increase Dementia Risk in Elderly Patients With Type 2 Diabetes, Kaiser Permanente Study Finds

Post Your Comments:

Alzheimer's and Even Mild Dementia Has...( But researchers determine that race h...),Health