Introduction / Rationale:
Cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a major contributor to cognitive decline in aging populations. While prior research has identified neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in CAA, the full spectrum and progression of these symptoms remain unclear. Understanding the co-occurrence of cognitive disabilities and neuropsychiatric disorders in individuals with CAA is essential for optimizing rehabilitation strategies.
Objectives:
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and progression of cognitive impairments, neuropsychiatric disorders, and functional disabilities in individuals with CAA before and after diagnosis, using a large-scale real-world dataset.
Methods / Approach:
A 10-year retrospective analysis was conducted using electronic health records from the TriNetX database, covering 6,591 patients diagnosed with CAA. The prevalence of dementia subtypes, neuropsychiatric disorders, and functional disabilities was assessed five years before, one year after, and five years after the first recorded CAA diagnosis.
Results / Practice Implications:
The prevalence of dementia significantly increased after a CAA diagnosis, with vascular dementia rising from 8.2% to 15.1%, and Alzheimer's disease from 10.4% to 15.3%. Mood disorders increased from 24.9% to 32.4%, and anxiety disorders from 23.0% to 29.0%. Functional impairments such as weakness (24.3% to 30.1%) and repeated falls (8.1% to 17.0%) also showed notable growth. These findings highlight the escalating burden of cognitive and neuropsychiatric conditions in CAA, underscoring the need for targeted interventions.
Conclusion / Contribution to the occupational therapy profession:
This study provides critical insights into the long-term impact of CAA on cognitive and functional health. The rising prevalence of neuropsychiatric and functional impairments emphasizes the need for integrated occupational therapy approaches that address both cognitive and physical rehabilitation to improve patient outcomes.