Table 1 Characteristics of the patients participating through the follow-up analysis

Age, mean (SD)

84.1 (5.02)

84.64 (5.45)

84.33 (5.16)

Women, no. (%)

27 (90.0)

16 (72.7)

43 (82.7)

Educational attainment, no. (%)

No school completed

4 (13.3)

2 (9.1)

6 (11.5)

Lower secondary school (Hauptschule; through grade 9)

21 (70.0)

16 (72.7)

37 (71.2)

Secondary modern school (Realschule; through grade 10)

4 (13.3)

1 (4.5)

5 (9.6)

University-preparatory secondary school (Gymnasium; through grade 13)

0 (0)

1 (4.5)

1 (1.9)

Information lacking

1 (3.3)

2 (9.1)

3 (5.8)

Marital status, no. (%)

Married

2 (6.7)

5 (22.7)

7 (13.5)

Widowed

22 (73.3)

16 (72.7)

38 (73.1)

Divorced

0 (0)

1 (4.5)

1 (1,9)

Single

6 (20.0)

0 (0)

6 (11.5)

MMSE mean (SD)

15.57 (4.83)

14.14 (5.45)

14.96 (5.1)

NOSGER subscale mood, mean (SD)

10.43 (3.13)

9.41 (2.99)

10.0 (3.08)

Charlson comorbidity index^a, mean (SD)

0.95 (1.34)

1.0 (1.34)

0.97 (1.33)

Use of anti-dementia medications, no. (%)

3 (10.0)

3 (13.6)

6 (11.5)

Medication score^b, mean (SD)

−1.57 (1.81)

−1.82 (1.87)

−1.67 (1.82)