Introduction: Timely recognition of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is essential in optimizing prevention and treatment for Alzheimer disease. Because of the paucity of data on MCI epidemiology in Greece and the variability of worldwide published results, we investigated the prevalence and determinants of MCI in the elderly population in Greece.
Methods: As part of the Hellenic Epidemiological Longitudinal Investigation of Aging and Diet (HELIAD), we randomly selected 1960 individuals 65 years and older to undergo full neurological and neuropsychological assessment by a multidisciplinary team. MCI was diagnosed according to the Petersen criteria.
Results: The age-standardized and gender-standardized prevalence of MCI in people aged 65 years and older in Greece is 13.11%. The amnestic and multidomain MCI subtypes are more common than their nonamnestic and single-domain counterparts, respectively. Almost two thirds of cases are because of suspected Alzheimer disease. Every additional year of age increases the odds of prevalent MCI by 7.4%, every additional year of education decreases the odds of MCI by 6.3%, and apolipoprotein E (APOE-ε4) carriage increases the odds of MCI by 57.9%.
Conclusions: MCI prevalence in the elderly population in Greece is on par with previously reported rates. Prospective studies with robust methodology will enhance our understanding of the dementia continuum.