The metabolic syndrome in a memory clinic population: Relation with clinical profile and prognosis

Lieza G. Exalto*, Wiesje M. Van Der Flier, Caroline J M Van Boheemen, L. Jaap Kappelle, Hugo Vrenken, Charlotte Teunissen, Ted Koene, Phillip Scheltens, Geert Jan Biessels

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) refers to a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors that is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. It is unclear however, if the presence of the MetS is associated with a particular clinical profile or a different prognosis in patients with cognitive complaints or early dementia.

Objectives

 To compare 1) the clinical profile and 2) the prognosis of patients attending a memory clinic according to the presence or absence of MetS.

Design

Longitudinal cohort.

Setting

Memory clinic.

Participants

We included and followed 86 consecutive patients (average age of 66.7 (SD 9.7)) from the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort with an MMSE > 22.

 Measurements

Clinical profile (neuropsychological examination, brain MRI, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers, clinical diagnosis) on an initial standardized diagnostic assessment was compared according to MetS status. Progression to dementia was assessed in initially nondemented patients (subjective complaints n = 40, mild cognitive impairment n = 24, follow-up available in 59).

 Results

35 (41%) patients met the MetS criteria. Demographics were similar between patients with or without the MetS. At baseline, diagnosis, cognitive performance, severity of degenerative or vascular abnormalities on MRI, and CSF amyloid and tau levels did not differ between the groups (all p > 0.05). Among nondemented patients, however, MetS was associated with worse performance on executive function, attention & speed and visuoconstructive ability (z-scores, p < 0.05). During a mean follow-up of 3.4 years a similar proportion of patients with (4; 17%) and without (6; 17%) the MetS progressed to dementia (p = 0.45).

Conclusion

Among nondemented patients presenting at a memory clinic MetS was associated with slightly worse cognitive performance (worse on tasks assessing executive functions, visuo-constructive ability, attention & speed), but conversion rate to dementia was not increased.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)18-23
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of the Neurological Sciences
Volume351
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2015

Keywords

  • Atrophy
  • Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers
  • Cognitive performance
  • Dementia
  • Metabolic syndrome
  • Progression
  • Vascular lesions

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