Risk Factors for Vascular Dementia

Dementia is a devastating disorder that commonly affects people over the age of 65. Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia are the most common forms of dementias. A number of studies have implicated cardiovascular risks as important factors in the development of dementia. These risks include high-risk behaviors such as smoking and risks related at least partially to health behaviors such as diet and exercise. This study examines a group of cardiovascular risk factors, as defined by the Framingham study, to ascertain if they are predictors of dementia. A retrospective chart review of 481consecutive patients seen in a geriatric medicine clinic produced a sample of 177 individuals diagnosed with dementia and 304 individuals without a dementia diagnosis. Relative risk ratio (RRR) results indicate that a history of hypertension (RRR= 1.80, p = .009) and a history of hypercholesterolemia (RRR = 1.85, p = .016) are significant predictors of Alzheimer's disease. A history of tobacco use (RRR = 2.18, p = .01) is a significant predictor of vascular dementia. Stepwise regression analyses indicate that hypercholesterolemia is an independent predictor of dementia (b = -.113, p = .009) and hypercholesterolemia (b = -.104, p = .018) and hypertension (b = -.094, p = .031) clustered together have an additive risk factor effect. These results are discussed in terms of the importance of specific health behaviors in the development and possible prevention of dementia.

Grantor dc:publisher

University of North Texas

Year dc:date

2005

Author dc:creator

• Cornett, Patricia F.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Hall, James
• Franks, Susan F.
• McGill, Jerry

• Vascular dementia -- Risk factors.
• dementia
• hypercholesterolemia
• risk factors
• Alzheimer's disease
• hypertension

Statement dc:rights

• Public
• Copyright
• Cornett, Patricia F.
• Copyright is held by the author, unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Language dc:language

English

Identifier

oclc: 62110758
https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc4781/
ark: ark:/67531/metadc4781

OAI identifier oai:identifier

info:ark/67531/metadc4781