Fan SM, Chiu PY, Liu CH, Liao YC, Chang HT. Predictive value of hypercholesterolemia, vegetarian diet, and hypertension for incident dementia among elderly Taiwanese individuals with low educational levels.
Ther Adv Chronic Dis 2023;
14:20406223231171549. [PMID:
37255548 PMCID:
PMC10226334 DOI:
10.1177/20406223231171549]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective
Early management of modifiable dementia-related factors is seen as a novel approach to preventing dementia onset; however, these efforts are often hindered by the complexity of interactions among these factors. In addition, different modifiable dementia-related factors may contribute to different etiologies of dementia.
Design
The current study investigated the effects of common modifiable dementia-related factors on prediction of incident dementia, dementia of the Alzheimer's type (DAT), and vascular dementia (VaD).
Methods
Vascular- and lifestyle-related factors were used as predictors of incident dementia, DAT, and VaD among 1,285 elderly individuals without obvious signs of dementia or mild cognitive impairment. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the risks associated with each modifiable factor.
Results
After controlling for factors other than stroke-related factors, hypercholesterolemia was correlated with a relatively low risk of all-cause incident dementia and DAT, whereas a vegetarian diet was correlated with an elevated risk of all-cause incident dementia and VaD. Hypertension was correlated with incident VaD. After controlling for stroke-related factors, a vegetarian diet was correlated with an elevated risk of all-cause dementia. A history of myocardiac infarction and the use of anti-platelet medication were, respectively, associated with a reduced risk of DAT and elevated risk of VaD. The use of anti-hypertensives was associated with a reduced risk of all-cause dementia, whereas the use of anti-lipid agents was associated with slow progression DAT (i.e. exceeding the average conversion time). Hypercholesterolemia was associated with an elevated risk for slow progression DAT.
Conclusion
These findings could perhaps be used as clinical markers in predicting and preventing incident dementia, DAT, and VaD.
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