Public Health

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• China bears a substantial global burden of dementia, with limited understanding of its risk factors within the population.
• Investigating cardiometabolic health markers is crucial for dementia prevention strategies in China.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between cardiometabolic health markers and dementia risk in a large Chinese cohort.
• To identify key modifiable risk factors for dementia in the Chinese population.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study of 512,724 adults (aged 30-79) in the China Kadoorie Biobank (2004-2008).
• Follow-up for approximately 12 years, recording 1,099 dementia cases (including vascular and Alzheimer's dementia).
• Cox regression analysis used to determine hazard ratios (HRs) for dementia associated with cardiometabolic markers.

Main Results:

• Hypertension (34.5%), diabetes (6.0%), ischemic heart disease (IHD) (3.1%), and stroke/transient ischemic attack (TIA) (1.8%) were prevalent at baseline.
• Significant associations found between prior hypertension (HR 1.21), diabetes (HR 1.36), and stroke/TIA (HR 2.52) and increased dementia risk.
• Higher usual systolic blood pressure (SBP) showed a log-linear positive trend with dementia risk (9% higher risk per 10 mmHg increase).

Conclusions:

• Cardiometabolic health markers, including hypertension, diabetes, and stroke/TIA, are significant risk factors for dementia in the Chinese population.
• These findings underscore the importance of managing vascular risk factors for dementia prevention in China.