The relationship between cognition and mortality in patients with stroke, coronary heart disease, or cancer

Numerous studies have reported an association between cognitive impairment and an increased risk for mortality. Most results are from large epidemiological studies and control for medical conditions that may relate to cognitive decline, as well as an increased mortality risk. The aim of this review was to evaluate the association between cognitive performance and mortality within patient samples of stroke, cancer, or coronary heart disease. After reviewing the PubMed literature for articles on stroke, cancer, and cardiovascular related illnesses, 47 longitudinal studies were identified that met the cognition/mortality search criteria. In general, the results demonstrated that within the clinical groups studied, cognitive performance and cognitive impairment both predict mortality, although results were less consistent for coronary heart disease. This study adds further support for the ubiquity of the association of cognitive performance with health outcomes and mortality. Optimizing health has implications for both cognitive performance and longevity.