Dataset Information

Spousal loss and cognitive function in later life: a 25-year follow-up in the AGES-Reykjavik study.

ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between loss of a life partner and the development of dementia and decline in cognitive function in later life. We used an Icelandic cohort of 4,370 participants in the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik Study who were living as married in 1978 (born in 1907-1935) and were either still married (unexposed cohort) or widowed (exposed cohort) at follow-up (in 2002-2006). We ascertained history of marital status and spouse's death by record linkage to the Registry of the Total Population, Statistics Iceland. The outcome measures were as follows: 1) dementia and mild cognitive impairment; and 2) memory, speed of processing, and executive function. During the observation period, 3,007 individuals remained married and 1,363 lost a spouse through death. We did not find any significant associations between loss of a spouse and our outcome variables, except that widowed women had poorer executive function (mean = -0.08) during the first 2 years after their husbands' deaths compared with still-married women (mean = 0.09). Our findings do not support the notion that the risk of dementia is increased following the loss of a spouse, yet women demonstrate a seemingly temporary decline in executive function following the death of a partner.

SUBMITTER: Vidarsdottir H

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3939848 | biostudies-other | 2014 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-other

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Spousal loss and cognitive function in later life: a 25-year follow-up in the AGES-Reykjavik study.

Vidarsdottir Halldora H Fang Fang F Chang Milan M Aspelund Thor T Fall Katja K Jonsdottir Maria K MK Jonsson Palmi V PV Cotch Mary Frances MF Harris Tamara B TB Launer Lenore J LJ Gudnason Vilmundur V Valdimarsdottir Unnur U

American journal of epidemiology 20140119 6

The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between loss of a life partner and the development of dementia and decline in cognitive function in later life. We used an Icelandic cohort of 4,370 participants in the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik Study who were living as married in 1978 (born in 1907-1935) and were either still married (unexposed cohort) or widowed (exposed cohort) at follow-up (in 2002-2006). We ascertained history of marital status and spouse's death ...[more]

PMID: 24444551

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Dataset Information

Spousal loss and cognitive function in later life: a 25-year follow-up in the AGES-Reykjavik study.

Publications

Spousal loss and cognitive function in later life: a 25-year follow-up in the AGES-Reykjavik study.

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