An Assessment of Modifiable Risk Factors for Dementia Among Georgians Experiencing Cognitive Decline
Abstract
Background
In 2022, over 10,000 Georgians died from dementia. Reducing risk factors throughout the life course may delay or prevent dementia onset. Scientific literature reports that there are 12 factors that can be modified during a specific life stage (midlife:45–64 years; later life: 65 years and older) to promote a healthy brain. This study examined select modifiable mid-life and later life risk factors for dementia.
Methods
Respondents 45 and older with and without subjective cognitive decline (SCD) were identified from the 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021 Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Respondents were compared on midlife hypertension, obesity, and excessive alcohol consumption; and later life diabetes, physical inactivity, and current smoking. Logistic regression was performed with SCD as outcome and each factor as predictor. Covariates were sex, race/ethnicity, education, and income. Factors statistically significantly higher among adults with SCD, were compared by Georgia Public Health Districts (PHD) and visualized using maps.
Results
SCD prevalence was 11.1% and 13.7% among Georgians 45–64 years and 65 and older respectively. Hypertension (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio (APR): 2.04, 95% CI: 1.67, 2.49) and obesity (APR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.57) were statistically significantly higher among 45–64-year-olds with SCD. Diabetes (APR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.49) and physical inactivity (APR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.51, 2.18) were statistically significantly higher among respondents 65 and older with SCD. Hypertension and obesity were highest in Southwest and GNR PHDs respectively. Diabetes and physical inactivity were highest in Clayton and District 4 PHDs respectively.
Conclusion
Maintaining cognitive health is crucial in aging adults. Georgians with SCD had a higher prevalence of hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and physical inactivity that if modified may prevent dementia. Most of these factors are chronic diseases, therefore brain health promotion needs to be incorporated into existing chronic disease prevention programs to prevent dementia among Georgians.
Keywords
Dementia prevention, subjective cognitive decline, co-morbidities, healthy aging, older adults.
An Assessment of Modifiable Risk Factors for Dementia Among Georgians Experiencing Cognitive Decline
Background
In 2022, over 10,000 Georgians died from dementia. Reducing risk factors throughout the life course may delay or prevent dementia onset. Scientific literature reports that there are 12 factors that can be modified during a specific life stage (midlife:45–64 years; later life: 65 years and older) to promote a healthy brain. This study examined select modifiable mid-life and later life risk factors for dementia.
Methods
Respondents 45 and older with and without subjective cognitive decline (SCD) were identified from the 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2021 Georgia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Respondents were compared on midlife hypertension, obesity, and excessive alcohol consumption; and later life diabetes, physical inactivity, and current smoking. Logistic regression was performed with SCD as outcome and each factor as predictor. Covariates were sex, race/ethnicity, education, and income. Factors statistically significantly higher among adults with SCD, were compared by Georgia Public Health Districts (PHD) and visualized using maps.
Results
SCD prevalence was 11.1% and 13.7% among Georgians 45–64 years and 65 and older respectively. Hypertension (Adjusted Prevalence Ratio (APR): 2.04, 95% CI: 1.67, 2.49) and obesity (APR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.07, 1.57) were statistically significantly higher among 45–64-year-olds with SCD. Diabetes (APR: 1.23, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.49) and physical inactivity (APR: 1.82, 95% CI: 1.51, 2.18) were statistically significantly higher among respondents 65 and older with SCD. Hypertension and obesity were highest in Southwest and GNR PHDs respectively. Diabetes and physical inactivity were highest in Clayton and District 4 PHDs respectively.
Conclusion
Maintaining cognitive health is crucial in aging adults. Georgians with SCD had a higher prevalence of hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and physical inactivity that if modified may prevent dementia. Most of these factors are chronic diseases, therefore brain health promotion needs to be incorporated into existing chronic disease prevention programs to prevent dementia among Georgians.
