Association Between a Low Ankle–Brachial Index and Dementia in a General Elderly Population in Central Africa (Epidemiology of Dementia in Central Africa Study). Issue 7 (3rd June 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guerchet, Maëlenn; Mbelesso, Pascal; Mouanga, Alain M.; Tabo, André; Bandzouzi, Bébène; Clément, Jean‐Pierre; Lacroix, Philippe; Preux, Pierre‐Marie; Aboyans, Victor
• Is Part Of: Journal of the American Geriatrics Society. Volume 61:Issue 7(2013:Jul.)
• Page Start: 1135
• Page End: 1140
• Publication Date: 2013-06-03
• Subjects: Geriatrics -- Periodicals; 618.97
• DOI: 10.1111/jgs.12310
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0002-8614

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jgs12310-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jgs12310-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Objectives</title> <p>To investigate the association between peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and dementia in native elderly African populations.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12310-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>Two successive door‐to‐door cross‐sectional surveys in the general population.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12310-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Settings</title> <p>Representative districts of Bangui (Central African Republic) and Brazzaville (Republic of Congo).</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12310-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Participants</title> <p>Population aged 65 and older.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12310-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Measurements</title> <p>Peripheral arterial disease was defined as an ankle–brachial index (ABI) of 0.90 or less. Cognitive screening was performed using the Community Screening Interview for Dementia and the Five‐Word Test. Diagnosis of dementia was confirmed after further neuropsychological tests and neurological examination according to the <italic>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition</italic>, criteria. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to quantify the association between PAD and dementia in those populations, with adjustments for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and other variables.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12310-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>A significant association was observed between PAD and prevalent dementia (odds ratio (OR) = 2.43, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.44–4.13, <italic>P </italic>= .001), even after adjustment for age, city, sex, CVD risk factors, education, and depressive disorders (OR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.31–4.26, <italic>P </italic>= .004). This association was stronger with lower ABI.</p> </sec> <sec id="jgs12310-sec-0007" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusion</title> <p>These findings support the hypothesis of a link between atherosclerosis (represented by a low ABI) and cognitive disorders in native Africans and are similar to previous reports in African Americans and other ethnic groups.</p> </sec> </abstract>