AIM: The aim of the study which was based on a five year prospective scheme was the evaluation of progressive changes in persons with a diagnosed mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHOD: A result of 3 in the Global Deterioration Scale (Reisberg's criteria), allowed for mild cognitive impairment diagnosis. The CGI scale result in the 5th year of observation was the bases to divide the studied population into a group with a stable MCI course and a group with progressive symptoms. RESULT: 41 persons finished the five years of observation, out of a total 46 chosen for the study. After 5 years, 26 persons had no changes in the CGI result, whilst 15 persons showed a worsening in their clinical picture. At the initial qualification to the study the two groups of patients did not differ in their psychiatric state. However differences in the ADAS-kog could be seen in the second measurement done after the first year of the observation. Amongst those persons who had a worsening above 1.68 in the first year of the observation, Alzheimer's disease could be diagnosed definitely more frequently in the further stages of the observation. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of cognitive function impairment progression seems to be one of the most important diagnostic elements and should be included in the diagnostic criteria of MCI.
AIM: The aim of the study which was based on a five year prospective scheme was the evaluation of progressive changes in persons with a diagnosed mild cognitive impairment (MCI). METHOD: A result of 3 in the Global Deterioration Scale (Reisberg's criteria), allowed for mild cognitive impairment diagnosis. The CGI scale result in the 5th year of observation was the bases to divide the studied population into a group with a stable MCI course and a group with progressive symptoms. RESULT: 41 persons finished the five years of observation, out of a total 46 chosen for the study. After 5 years, 26 persons had no changes in the CGI result, whilst 15 persons showed a worsening in their clinical picture. At the initial qualification to the study the two groups of patients did not differ in their psychiatric state. However differences in the ADAS-kog could be seen in the second measurement done after the first year of the observation. Amongst those persons who had a worsening above 1.68 in the first year of the observation, Alzheimer's disease could be diagnosed definitely more frequently in the further stages of the observation. CONCLUSIONS: Evaluation of cognitive function impairment progression seems to be one of the most important diagnostic elements and should be included in the diagnostic criteria of MCI.