Anthony F. Jorm|Bradley M. Rodgers|A. S. Henderson|A. E. Korten|P. A. Jacomb|Helen Christensen|Andrew Mackinnon
Occupation type as a predictor of cognitive decline and dementia in old age
Mental Health Research Institute
assess whether individuals main occupation predicts cognitive decline dementiathe data taken longitudinal study 518 men aged 70 main occupation coded one john hollands six occupational categories subjects completed four cognitive tests diagnosed dementia two occasions three half years apart cognitive tests minimental state examination episodic memory test symbolletter modalities test national adult reading test informants also completed informant questionnaire cognitive decline elderly dementia diagnosed american psychiatric association diagnostic statistical manual mental disorders 3rd edition revised dsmiiir icd10 criteria using canberra interview elderlycrosssectional analysis wave 1 data showed realistic occupations include trade technical service occupations poorer cognitive performance higher prevalence dsmiiir dementia differences held even age education native english statistically controlled greatest occupational difference national adult reading test estimates premorbid ability contrast occupational differences longitudinal change cognitive test performance informant reports cognitive decline incident cases dementia three half yearscrosssectional occupational differences cognitive tests dementia prevalence due differences premorbid ability rather differences rate cognitive decline