Intracranial pressure waveform changes in Alzheimer's disease and mild cognitive impairment.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is known to cause an enormous impairment to the quality of life and impact in the health system; meanwhile, studies show that in the coming years, the number of affected individuals will continue to grow. It is also believed that amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) could represent an early symptomatic form of AD, which precedes dementia. Methods: The present study aimed to evaluate the intracranial pressure (ICP) through a noninvasive method in patients with AD and MCI, seeking for differences when compared to healthy elderlies. This is a cross-sectional, correlational, and observational study of a quantitative character, carried out in a Brazilian city, with patients from the ANEC of the UFSCar. Results: It was found a statistically significant difference between the ICP morphology when analyzing the results in patients with AD and MCI, compared to healthy volunteers. It is known that dementias means a progressive disorder that leads to the loss of independency and function of the patient, although, it is believed that it can be found early ICP alterations in these patients. Nevertheless, considering this is an unprecedent study, it was not possible to compare results with previous studies and literatures. However, the study has a limitation related to the sample size; an expansion of it could possibility lead to different findings. Conclusion: The findings through the ICP measurement could indicate an early diagnosis, which would lead to an early treatment and an improvement in the quality of life of patients with AD. Thus, further investigation and widening studies are encouraged.

Subjective cognitive impairment, cognitive disorders and self-perceived health: The importance of the informant.

There is great divergence of results in the literature regarding the clinical relevance and etiology of subjective cognitive impairment (SCI). Currently, SCI is studied as a pre-clinical symptom of Alzheimer's disease, before establishing a possible diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The hypothesis was that SCI is associated with low cognitive performance and poor self-perceived health. OBJECTIVE: to investigate the relationship of SCI with objective cognitive impairment and self-perceived health in older individuals and to compare SCI reported by the elderly subjects and by their respective informants. METHODS: 83 subjects participated in the study, divided between the forms of the Memory Complaint Scale (MCS). Cognition was evaluated by the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination - Revised and self-perceived health by the Short Form Health Survey-8. RESULTS: there was no association between SCI and self-perceived health. SCI reported by the older adults was associated with executive functions. SCI reported by the informant was associated with overall cognitive performance, memory, verbal fluency and visuospatial functions. CONCLUSION: we found more robust results between SCI reported by the informant and cognitive impairment in the elderly assessed. There is a need to include and value the perception of someone who knows the older individual well enough to evaluate SCI globally.

Há grande divergência de resultados na literatura em relação à relevância clínica e à etiologia do comprometimento cognitivo subjetivo (CCS). Atualmente, o CCS é estudado como um sintoma pré-clínico da doença de Alzheimer, antes de se estabelecer um possível diagnóstico de CCL. A hipótese é que o CCS pode estar associado a um desempenho inferior em testes cognitivos ou a uma autopercepção de saúde ruim. OBJETIVO: O objetivo do estudo foi investigar a relação do CCS com o comprometimento cognitivo objetivo e a autopercepção de saúde em idosos e comparar o CCS relatado pelos idosos e o CCS relatado pelo informante. MÉTODOS: 83 sujeitos participaram do estudo, divididos entre as formas da Escala de Queixa de Memória para as análises. A cognição foi avaliada pelo Exame Cognitivo de Addenbrooke - Revisado e autopercepção da saúde pelo Short Form Health Survey-8. RESULTADOS: não houve associação entre CCS e autopercepção de saúde. O CCS relatado pelos idosos foi associado com funções executivas. O CCS reportado pelo informante esteve associado ao desempenho cognitivo global, memória, fluência verbal e função visual espacial. CONCLUSÃO: neste estudo encontramos resultados mais robustos entre CCS relatado pelo informante e o comprometimento cognitivo objetivo dos idosos, evidenciando a necessidade de incluir e valorizar a percepção de um indivíduo que conheça o idoso bem o suficiente para avaliar o CCS de maneira integrada.

Subjective memory complaint and its relationship with cognitive changes and physical vulnerability of community-dwelling older adults.

Memory complaint (MC) is common in older adults and can be confirmed by people close to them, such as family members and caregivers. Studies show an association between MC and cognitive impairment and, hence, physical vulnerability may exacerbate MC. However, the relationship between MC and physical vulnerability is not yet clear in the literature.\. OBJECTIVE: to investigate the association between MC, cognitive impairment, and physical vulnerability. METHODS: this is a cross-sectional study. We evaluated 100 older adults with a mean age of 65 years or over. The Memory Complaint Scale (MCS), Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Vulnerable Elderly Research-13 (VES-13), Geriatric Depression Scale and a sociodemographic questionnaire were applied. RESULTS: participants were divided into two groups according to results on the MCS-A (elderly) and MCS-B (informant). Correlations were found between the MCS-A and the MMSE (p=.045/ρ=.201), ACE-R/Visual-Spatial (p=.048/ρ=.199), and ACE-R/Attention-Orientation (p=.026/ρ=.223). For the MCS-B, correlations were found with total score on the ACE-R (p=.044/ρ=-.202) and the ACE-R/Visual-Spatial (p=0.003/ρ=-.291). CONCLUSION: MC reported by the informant indicate the need to assess, in more depth, the cognition of the older adult. Thus, for clinical practice, screening of MC through an informant is advised.

A queixa de memória (QM) é comum em idosos e pode ser confirmada por pessoas próximas a ele, como familiares e cuidadores. Estudos apontam associação entre QM e alterações cognitivas e, nesse sentido, a vulnerabilidade física poderia exacerbá-la. Porém, a relação entre QM e vulnerabilidade física ainda não está clara na literatura. OBJETIVO: investigar a relação entre QM, alterações cognitivas e vulnerabilidade física. MÉTODOS: trata-se de um estudo transversal. Foram avaliados 100 idosos com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos. Utilizou-se a Escala de Queixa de Memória (EQM), Exame Cognitivo de Addenbrooke - Revisado (ACE-R), Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), Vulnerable Elders Survey-13 (VES-13), Escala de Depressão Geriátrica e questionário sociodemográfico. RESULTADOS: os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com os resultados da EQM formas A (idoso) e B (informante). Encontrou-se correlação entre a EQM-A e MEEM (p=.045/ρ=.201), ACE-R Atenção e Orientação (p=.026/ρ=.223) e ACE-R/Visual-Espacial (p=.048/ρ=.199). Na EQM-B encontrou-se correlação entre pontuação total do ACE-R (p=.044/ρ=-.202) e ACE-R/Visual-Espacial. (p=.003/ρ=-.291). CONCLUSÃO: o relato de QM a partir do informante aponta a necessidade de avaliação mais aprofundada da cognição dos idosos. Assim, para a prática clínica, o rastreio de QM do informante é aconselhado.

Subjective memory complaint and its relationship with cognitive changes and physical vulnerability of community-dwelling older adults / Queixa subjetiva de memória e relação com alterações cognitivas e vulnerabilidade física de idosos da comunidade

ABSTRACT. Memory complaint (MC) is common in older adults and can be confirmed by people close to them, such as family members and caregivers. Studies show an association between MC and cognitive impairment and, hence, physical vulnerability may exacerbate MC. However, the relationship between MC and physical vulnerability is not yet clear in the literature.\ Objective: to investigate the association between MC, cognitive impairment, and physical vulnerability. Methods: this is a cross-sectional study. We evaluated 100 older adults with a mean age of 65 years or over. The Memory Complaint Scale (MCS), Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Vulnerable Elderly Research-13 (VES-13), Geriatric Depression Scale and a sociodemographic questionnaire were applied. Results: participants were divided into two groups according to results on the MCS-A (elderly) and MCS-B (informant). Correlations were found between the MCS-A and the MMSE (p=.045/ρ=.201), ACE-R/Visual-Spatial (p=.048/ρ=.199), and ACE-R/Attention-Orientation (p=.026/ρ=.223). For the MCS-B, correlations were found with total score on the ACE-R (p=.044/ρ=-.202) and the ACE-R/Visual-Spatial (p=0.003/ρ=-.291). Conclusion: MC reported by the informant indicate the need to assess, in more depth, the cognition of the older adult. Thus, for clinical practice, screening of MC through an informant is advised.

RESUMO. A queixa de memória (QM) é comum em idosos e pode ser confirmada por pessoas próximas a ele, como familiares e cuidadores. Estudos apontam associação entre QM e alterações cognitivas e, nesse sentido, a vulnerabilidade física poderia exacerbá-la. Porém, a relação entre QM e vulnerabilidade física ainda não está clara na literatura. Objetivo: investigar a relação entre QM, alterações cognitivas e vulnerabilidade física. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo transversal. Foram avaliados 100 idosos com idade igual ou superior a 65 anos. Utilizou-se a Escala de Queixa de Memória (EQM), Exame Cognitivo de Addenbrooke - Revisado (ACE-R), Mini Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), Vulnerable Elders Survey-13 (VES-13), Escala de Depressão Geriátrica e questionário sociodemográfico. Resultados: os participantes foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com os resultados da EQM formas A (idoso) e B (informante). Encontrou-se correlação entre a EQM-A e MEEM (p=.045/ρ=.201), ACE-R Atenção e Orientação (p=.026/ρ=.223) e ACE-R/Visual-Espacial (p=.048/ρ=.199). Na EQM-B encontrou-se correlação entre pontuação total do ACE-R (p=.044/ρ=-.202) e ACE-R/Visual-Espacial. (p=.003/ρ=-.291). Conclusão: o relato de QM a partir do informante aponta a necessidade de avaliação mais aprofundada da cognição dos idosos. Assim, para a prática clínica, o rastreio de QM do informante é aconselhado.

Subjective cognitive impairment, cognitive disorders and self-perceived health: The importance of the informant / Comprometimento cognitivo subjetivo, alterações cognitivas e autopercepção de saúde: a importância do informante

ABSTRACT There is great divergence of results in the literature regarding the clinical relevance and etiology of subjective cognitive impairment (SCI). Currently, SCI is studied as a pre-clinical symptom of Alzheimer's disease, before establishing a possible diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). The hypothesis was that SCI is associated with low cognitive performance and poor self-perceived health. Objective: to investigate the relationship of SCI with objective cognitive impairment and self-perceived health in older individuals and to compare SCI reported by the elderly subjects and by their respective informants. Methods: 83 subjects participated in the study, divided between the forms of the Memory Complaint Scale (MCS). Cognition was evaluated by the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination - Revised and self-perceived health by the Short Form Health Survey-8. Results: there was no association between SCI and self-perceived health. SCI reported by the older adults was associated with executive functions. SCI reported by the informant was associated with overall cognitive performance, memory, verbal fluency and visuospatial functions. Conclusion: we found more robust results between SCI reported by the informant and cognitive impairment in the elderly assessed. There is a need to include and value the perception of someone who knows the older individual well enough to evaluate SCI globally.

RESUMO Há grande divergência de resultados na literatura em relação à relevância clínica e à etiologia do comprometimento cognitivo subjetivo (CCS). Atualmente, o CCS é estudado como um sintoma pré-clínico da doença de Alzheimer, antes de se estabelecer um possível diagnóstico de CCL. A hipótese é que o CCS pode estar associado a um desempenho inferior em testes cognitivos ou a uma autopercepção de saúde ruim. Objetivo: O objetivo do estudo foi investigar a relação do CCS com o comprometimento cognitivo objetivo e a autopercepção de saúde em idosos e comparar o CCS relatado pelos idosos e o CCS relatado pelo informante. Métodos: 83 sujeitos participaram do estudo, divididos entre as formas da Escala de Queixa de Memória para as análises. A cognição foi avaliada pelo Exame Cognitivo de Addenbrooke - Revisado e autopercepção da saúde pelo Short Form Health Survey-8. Resultados: não houve associação entre CCS e autopercepção de saúde. O CCS relatado pelos idosos foi associado com funções executivas. O CCS reportado pelo informante esteve associado ao desempenho cognitivo global, memória, fluência verbal e função visual espacial. Conclusão: neste estudo encontramos resultados mais robustos entre CCS relatado pelo informante e o comprometimento cognitivo objetivo dos idosos, evidenciando a necessidade de incluir e valorizar a percepção de um indivíduo que conheça o idoso bem o suficiente para avaliar o CCS de maneira integrada.