Predictors of mortality in frontotemporal dementia: a retrospective study of the prognostic influence of pre-diagnostic features.
OBJECTIVE
To find associations between predictors and survival in frontotemporal dementia (FTD).


METHODS
96 patients with FTD, here defined as Dementia in Pick's disease, were studied. The predictors included psychiatric/behavioural features, language impairment and neurological deficits present up to the time of diagnosis. The influence on mortality was studied by means of Cox regression analyses.


RESULTS
Most of the behavioural/psychiatric features were associated with longer survival. Among these features, anxiety and suicidal ideation were associated with a statistically significant decreased mortality. Semi-mutism/mutism and neurological deficits were associated with a statistically significant increased mortality. Analyses of the dementia-specific mortality strengthened the already significant results and revealed dysphagia as significantly related to increased mortality.


CONCLUSIONS
Two groups of predictors with different influence on survival were identified in FTD. Most behavioural/psychiatric features were associated with longer survival. These features may indicate a slower disease progress and a better preserved cerebral function. By contrast, semi-mutism/mutism, neurological deficits and dysphagia were associated with shorter survival, indicating an aggressive, degenerative process.
Gräsbeck
A
A
Department of Psychogeriatrics, University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. anne.grasbeck@psykiatr.lu.se
Englund
E
E
Horstmann
V
V
Passant
U
U
Gustafson
L
L
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020774:Pick Disease of the Brain / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012720:Severity of Illness Index