No association between five-factor personality model and 5-year all-cause mortality in patients with subjective cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment

Summary Background Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and is preceded by prodromal stages including subjective cognitive decline (SCD), non-amnestic mild cognitive impairment (naMCI), and amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI). While associations between personality traits and cognitive decline have been reported, their impact on mortality in these early disease stages remains unclear. Objectives This study aimed to investigate whether personality traits differ between patients with SCD, naMCI, and aMCI and whether these traits influence 5‑year all-cause mortality. Methods In this retrospective single-center study, data from 353 patients aged 50 and older diagnosed with SCD ( n = 72), naMCI ( n = 156), or aMCI ( n = 125) were analyzed. Personality traits were assessed using the Big Five Plus One (B5PO) questionnaire. Survival probabilities were estimated using Kaplan–Meier analysis, group differences were assessed by log-rank test, and the impact of personality traits on mortality was examined using Cox proportional hazards model. Results The overall 5‑year survival probability was 87.1%. No significant differences in all-cause survival were observed between diagnostic subgroups ( p = 0.629). No significant differences in personality traits were found between SCD, naMCI, and aMCI patients. Personality traits assessed by the B5PO showed no significant association with mortality. Apart from personality traits, exploratory analyses suggested that certain cognitive performance measures, namely, selective attention, were associated with survival probability, whereas higher age was associated with increased mortality risk. Conclusion Personality traits according to the B5PO do not appear to significantly influence mortality or differ between the subgroups of early cognitive impairment. Further studies with larger cohorts are necessary to clarify potential associations between personality, cognition, and long-term outcomes.