Cranial Computed Tomography Associated with Development of Functional Dependence in a Community-based Elderly Population

Objective: To investigate whether changes at computed tomography (CT) imaging in the ageing brain are associated with future risks for functional dependence. Subjects: 160 residents aged 69 years and older at the cranial CT and were independently living in a rural community in Hokkaido, Japan. Methods: Cranial CT was performed between 1991 and 1993, graded for ventricular enlargement, sulcal enlargement, white matter change, and small infarction. Functional status was reassessed in 1998 in each participant. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association of CT changes in the ageing brain with development of functional dependence over six years. Results: Functional dependence was found in 19 residents at the second survey. After adjusting for age, sex, medical conditions, and cognitive functioning, small infarction and ventricular enlargement were significantly associated with development of functional dependence (adjusted odds ratio = 9.27 and 4.62). Conclusions: After controlling for age, the age-related changes on cranial CT have significant association on development of functional dependence.