Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Reported by Former Professional Football Players over 50 yr of Age: An NFL-LONG Study. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2022 Mar 01;54(3):424-431
Date
10/02/2021Pubmed ID
34593716DOI
10.1249/MSS.0000000000002802Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85124633238 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 17 CitationsAbstract
PURPOSE: This study aimed to estimate prevalence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia diagnoses in former National Football League (NFL) players ≥50 yr old and examine the relationships among these diagnoses and an array of predictors of long-term brain health.
METHODS: A cross section of former NFL players (n = 922; mean ± SD age, 64.8 ± 8.9 yr) completed a questionnaire. Prevalence of self-reported medical diagnoses of MCI and dementia was reported alongside U.S. population estimates across 5-yr age intervals (e.g., 60-64 yr). Prevalence ratios (PR) were calculated for multiple predictors of long-term brain health.
RESULTS: Overall, MCI prevalence and dementia prevalence were n = 219(23.8%) and n = 82(8.9%), respectively. Each diagnosis was more prevalent in former NFL players across age-groups than U.S. norms, with greater disparities at relatively younger ages (e.g., 65-69 yr) compared with older ages. Greater prevalence of MCI and dementia was associated with self-reported concussion history (10+ vs 0; PRadjusted [95% CI] = 1.66 [1.02-2.71] and 2.61 [1.01-6.71], respectively); recent pain intensity (PRadjusted [95% CI] = 1.13 [1.07-1.20] and 1.15 [1.03-1.28]); and diagnoses of depression (PRadjusted [95% CI] = 2.70 [1.92-3.81] and 3.22 [1.69-6.14]), anxiety (PRadjusted [95% CI] = 1.96 [1.26-3.07] and 3.14 [1.47-6.74]), or both (PRadjusted [95% CI] = 3.11 [2.38-4.08] and 4.43 [2.71-7.25]). Higher MCI prevalence was related to sleep apnea (PRadjusted [95% CI] = 1.30 [1.06-1.60]); higher dementia prevalence was associated with age (5-yr interval, PRadjusted [95% CI] = 1.42 [1.26-1.60]) and race (non-White vs White, PRadjusted [95% CI] = 1.64 [1.07-2.53]).
CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported MCI prevalence and dementia prevalence were higher in former NFL players than national estimates and were associated with numerous personal factors, including mood-related disorders and a high number of self-reported concussions. Predictors of higher MCI and dementia prevalence may be modifiable and warrant consideration by clinicians and researchers as potential targets to mitigate the onset of these conditions.
Author List
Walton SR, Brett BL, Chandran A, Defreese JD, Mannix R, Echemendia RJ, Meehan WP 3rd, McCrea M, Guskiewicz KM, Kerr ZYAuthors
Benjamin Brett PhD Assistant Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of WisconsinMichael McCrea PhD Professor in the Neurosurgery department at Medical College of Wisconsin
MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AgedAthletic Injuries
Brain Concussion
Cognitive Dysfunction
Dementia
Football
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Prevalence
Retirement
Surveys and Questionnaires
United States
