Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Reported by Former Professional Football Players over 50 yr of Age: An NFL-LONG Study. Issue 3 (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: WALTON, SAMUEL R.; BRETT, BENJAMIN L.; CHANDRAN, AVINASH; DEFREESE, J. D.; MANNIX, REBEKAH; ECHEMENDIA, RUBEN J.; MEEHAN, WILLIAM P.; MCCREA, MICHAEL; GUSKIEWICZ, KEVIN M.; KERR, ZACHARY Y.
• Is Part Of: Medicine and science in sports and exercise. Volume 54:Issue 3(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: FORMER ATHLETES -- COGNITIVE DECLINE -- DISEASE PREVALENCE -- CONCUSSION HISTORY -- MOOD-RELATED DISORDERS -- MODIFIABLE RISK FACTORS; Sports medicine -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Exercise -- Health aspects -- Periodicals; 612.044
• DOI: 10.1249/MSS.0000000000002802
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-9131

Abstract

ABSTRACT: 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.