Dementia Risk Score Predicts Cognitive Impairment after a Period of 15 Years in a Nondemented Population

Background/Aim: Cardiovascular risk factors play an important role in the development of cognitive impairment and dementia. We examined whether a previously designed dementia risk score based on midlife vascular risk profiles also predicts cognitive impairment 15 years later. Methods: 322 individuals without dementia from the population-based Hoorn study (aged 50–64 years) underwent a medical examination at baseline and a detailed cognitive assessment 15 years later. The relation between the risk score and late-life cognitive impairment in each of 6 domains was analyzed with logistic regression analysis. Results: The risk score was significantly related to impairment on the domains information-processing speed (p = 0.04), visuoconstruction (p = 0.04) and abstract reasoning (p = 0.02). Participants with a risk score of 9 points or more had a markedly increased risk of late-life impairment in the domains information-processing speed (OR 3.07, 95% CI 1.37–6.90; p = 0.007) and abstract reasoning (OR 3.97, 95% CI 1.07–14.71; p = 0.04). Conclusion: A previously designed risk score for dementia also predicts late-life cognitive impairment. Because such impairment can lead to complaints and functional consequences, also in individuals who do not progress to dementia, identification of individuals at risk is important and can help to target preventive strategies.