Incidence and predictors of cognitive impairment and dementia in Aboriginal Australians: A follow‐up study of 5 years. Issue 3 (18th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lo Giudice, Dina; Smith, Kate; Fenner, Stephen; Hyde, Zoë; Atkinson, David; Skeaf, Linda; Malay, Roslyn; Flicker, Leon
• Is Part Of: Alzheimer's & dementia. Volume 12:Issue 3(2016)
• Page Start: 252
• Page End: 261
• Publication Date: 2015-05-18
• Subjects: Indigenous -- Dementia -- Cognition -- Cohort study -- Older people; Alzheimer's disease -- Periodicals; Alzheimer Disease -- Periodicals; Dementia -- Periodicals; Démence; Maladie d'Alzheimer; Périodique électronique (Descripteur de forme); Ressource Internet (Descripteur de forme); 616.83
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jalz.2015.01.009
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1552-5260

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Aboriginal Australians are reported to develop dementia earlier than the general population. The causes remain unknown. Methods: This was a longitudinal study of 363 participants aged ≥45 years. Consensus diagnoses were established for cognitive impairment or dementia. Results: At follow‐up, 189 people (mean ± standard deviation age, 65.4 ± 10.3 years) participated, as 109 (30%) had died and 65 (18%) were unavailable. The incidence of cognitive impairment or dementia was 52.6 (95% confidence interval 33.9, 81.5) per 1000 person‐years (380.3 total person‐years) and for dementia was 21.0 (10.5, 42.1) per 1000 person‐years (380.3 person‐years total) over the age 60 years. Longitudinal risk factors associated with a decline from normal cognition to impairment were age and head injury. Other associations with cognitive decline were stroke, head injury, nonaspirin analgesics, lower BMI, and higher systolic BP. Discussion: Dementia incidence in Aboriginal Australians is among the highest in the world, and is associated with age and head injury.