Objectives. To investigate the association of physical characteristics (blood pressure, BMI, waist-to-hip ratio), which are commonly identified as risks for cardiovascular disease and adult-onset type-II diabetes, with the risk of Alzheimer's disease. Methods. In a community-based cohort study of elderly people (N=2581), we collected at study entry the following physical characteristics: height, weight, blood pressure, head circumference, waist circumference, hip circumference, and age. The study participants were free of any dementia at baseline and are being followed forward for incidence of Alzheimer's disease. To date, 89 people have developed Alzheimer's disease. We used Cox's regression with age as the time axis to investigate the association of the above physical characteristics with development of Alzheimer's disease. Results. Subjects who developed Alzheimer's disease showed at baseline no difference in height, weight, blood pressure, BMI and head circumference, but did have a lower waist-to-hip ratio. Compared to subjects with a waist-to-hip ratio greater then 1.0, those with a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.90-0.99, 0.80-0.89, and less then 0.80 had a relative risk of 1.8, 2.1 and 2.9, respectively, for later developing Alzheimer's disease. Adjusting for gender, BMI and the genetic risk factor Apolipoprotein epsilon 4 did not decrease the estimated relative risks. Conclusion. In this elderly population, a low waist-to-hip ratio was associated with increase risk of developing Alzheimer's disease. A high waist-to-hip ratio is associated with increase risk of cardiovascular disease and adult-onset type-II diabetes.
Learning Objectives: 1. Identify physcial characteristics associated with Alzheimer's Disease 2. Apply Cox's regression in a cohort study 3. Understand the connection between growth and development and the aging process
Keywords: Aging, Epidemiology
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.