The application of cross-sectionally derived dementia algorithms to longitudinal data in risk factor analyses.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Dementia algorithms are often developed in cross-sectional samples but implemented in longitudinal studies to ascertain incident dementia. However, algorithm performance may be higher in cross-sectional settings, and this may impact estimates of risk factor associations.

Methods

We used data from the Religious Orders Study and the Memory and Aging Project (N = 3460) to assess the performance of example algorithms in classifying prevalent dementia in cross-sectional samples versus incident dementia in longitudinal samples. We used an applied example and simulation study to characterize the impact of varying sensitivity, specificity, and unequal sensitivity or specificity between exposure groups (differential performance) on estimated hazard ratios from Cox models.

SUBMITTER: Nichols E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9924954 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature