Risk factors for vascular dementia

Abstract

Background. An increase in the number of older people with cognitive disorders, including dementia, is expected.

The aim. To study the risk factors for vascular dementia.

Material and methods. 39 patients with vascular dementia (ICD-10 diagnosis code F01) were examined. The comparison group consisted of 167 people. According to the MMSE (Mini Mental State Examination) scale, moderate dementia was detected in 56.4 % of cases, severe – in 43.6 %; in the comparison group, 94 % had mild and 6 % – moderate cognitive impairment.

Results. In the vascular dementia group, the following risk factors were registered significantly more often: ischemic heart disease – at the age of 70–79 years (57.1 %; p = 0.000) and in the group as a whole (56.4 %; p = 0.000); diabetes mellitus – at the age of 60–69 years (100 %; p = 0.005); arterial hypertension – at the age of 70–79 years (100 %; p = 0.000) and in the group as a whole (87.2 %; p = 0.000). In the comparison group, the frequency of body mass index over 25 was significantly higher at the age of 70–79 years (60 %; p = 0.000), 80 years and older (64.3 %; p = 0.037) and in the group as a whole (68.9 %; p = 0.000). Among people with moderate cognitive impairment, the following risk factors were significantly more common: coronary heart disease – at the age of 60–69 years (10 %; p = 0.001); diabetes mellitus – at the age of 70–79 years (40 %; p = 0.025) and in the group as a whole (50 %; p = 0.033), the frequency of body mass index over 25 – at the age of 80 years and older (70 %; p = 0.000) and in the group as a whole (100 %; p = 0.000).

Conclusion. Risk factors for the development of cognitive disorders (coronary heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, overweight) are potentially reversible; their timely detection can reduce the development of cognitive disorders and dementia.