SynthesisFrontiers in public health2026
Depression as a prognostic factor for conversion from mild cognitive impairment to all-cause dementia and Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies.
Synthesis in Frontiers in public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
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5 authors.
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Abstract
Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a transitional stage between normal aging and dementia, with annual conversion rates to Alzheimer's disease (AD) or all-cause dementia estimated at 10%-15%. The role of depression as a prognostic factor for dementia progression remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to clarify the association between depression and risk of conversion from MCI to AD and all-cause dementia. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of longitudinal cohort studies following PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Scopus were searched. Eligible studies included adults with MCI, depression assessed by clinical diagnosis or validated scales, and reported hazard ratios (HRs) for progression to dementia. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed for unadjusted and adjusted HRs. Risk of bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale, and certainty of evidence was evaluated with GRADE. Results: Seventeen studies were included, with follow-up ranging from 6 months to 12 years. In unadjusted analyses, baseline depression was associated with increased risk of progression overall (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.22-2.26); however, heterogeneity across studies was high ( Conclusion: Depression appears to be associated with an increased risk of progression from MCI to dementia; however, the very high heterogeneity and very low certainty of evidence substantially limit confidence in the magnitude and consistency of this association. These findings highlight the importance of depression screening and management in MCI populations. Integrating mental health care into cognitive disorder clinics may improve patient outcomes and potentially delay dementia onset. Systematic Review registration: identifier: CRD420261308245.
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