Worsening Cognition and Pneumonia: It Goes Both Ways

In an analysis of Cardiovascular Health Study data, declining cognitive function was associated with hospitalization for pneumonia, which in turn was associated with further cognitive decline.

A single episode of infection can lead to a cascade of other illnesses, disability, and death. Some have hypothesized that small changes in cognition increase the risk for pneumonia, and that pneumonia itself accelerates the underlying cognitive dysfunction, leading to dementia.

To explore this possibility, researchers longitudinally analyzed 10 years of data from well-functioning, community-dwelling individuals aged ≥65 who were participating in the population-based, observational Cardiovascular Health Study (CHS). Cognitive function was assessed annually using the Teng Modified Mini-Mental State (3MS) examination, and trajectories were determined for these scores. Among the 5888 participants, 639 (10.9%) were hospitalized at least once for…

Reviewing Author

Neil M. Ampel, MD

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Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Neil M. Ampel, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesCoccidioidomycosis Study Group (Past President, Secretary, Treasurer)

Worsening Cognition and Pneumonia: It Goes Both Ways

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Reviewing Author