Cognitive impairment in patients with Parkinson's disease: A 30-month follow-up study.
OBJECTIVE
A longitudinal (30-month) study of the cognitive changes in Parkinson's disease patients and analysis of influencing factors.


METHODS
The cognitive function and related symptoms of 102 patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and relevant scales, at baseline and 30-month follow-up. The t-test, nonparametric tests, and regression analyses were used to evaluate cognitive decline and investigate risk factors for cognitive impairment.


RESULTS
From baseline to follow-up, the MMSE and MoCA scores significantly decreased, respectively, from 28.16±2.29 to 26.18±3.64, and from 24.60±4.23 to 21.94±5.47 (both P<0.001). Impairment was observed in multiple cognitive areas, significantly in naming, delayed recall, and orientation (P<0.01). Patients at baseline with postural instability and gait disturbance (PIGD), lower MoCA scores, or depression had a higher risk of cognitive impairment at follow-up (P<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Cognitive impairment is highly prevalent in Parkinson's disease patients, especially for those with lower MoCA scores, PIGD, and depression.
Department of Clinical Psychology, Jiangsu Province Geriatric Institute, Nanjing, 210024, China. Electronic address: hubbub_kennel@163.com.
Ling
L
Chen
Department of Neurology, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China. Electronic address: 363422440@qq.com.
Cuiyu
C
Yu
Department of Clinical Psychology, Nanjing Brain Hospital affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China. Electronic address: zn6360@126.com.
Ning
N
Zhang
Department of Psychiatry, Shanhai Meishan Hospital, Nanjing, China. Electronic address: g6115124@163.com.
Junjun
J
Liu
Department of Neurology, Nanjing Brain Hospital Affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China. Electronic address: liuweiguo1111@sina.com.
Weiguo
W
Liu
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*
Cognitive impairment; Follow-up; Mini-mental state examination; Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA); Parkinson's disease