Extrapyramidal signs and Alzheimer's disease prognosis in a multiethnic, community‐based sample of demented elders

Abstract

Introduction Extrapyramidal signs (EPS) are a common feature of Alzheimer's disease associated with worse outcomes in observational studies of dementia. Less research has been conducted on ethnic minority and non‐clinic‐based populations. Methods One hundred and forty‐two multiethnic community‐dwelling participants with dementia were selected. Adjusted Cox models were fitted for mortality, cognitive (Mini Mental State Examination ≤10), functional (Blessed Dementia Rating Scale ≥10), and dependency (needs full‐time care) endpoints with baseline EPS as predictor. Results Thirty‐seven participants (26.06%) had EPS at baseline. EPS predicted more rapid time to death (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.49, 5.42), and functional endpoint (HR = 3.88, 95% CI = 1.75, 8.62) but not cognitive and dependency endpoints. No evidence of interaction by ethnicity, age, sex, education, or apolipoprotein E ε4 polymorphism was found. Discussion Our results partially confirm previous studies on predominantly White, clinic‐based samples. Further research is needed to better understand the etiological role of EPS in AD.