Prevalence of risk factors for dementia in middle- and older- aged people registered in Primary Health Care

• Published in: Dementia & neuropsychologia 2021-04, Vol.15 (2), p.239-247
• Main Authors: Luchesi, Bruna Moretti, Melo, Beatriz Rodrigues de Souza, Balderrama, Priscila, Gratão, Aline Cristina Martins, Chagas, Marcos Hortes Nisihara, Pavarini, Sofia Cristina Iost, Martins, Tatiana Carvalho Reis
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: aged; CLINICAL NEUROLOGY; dementia; GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY; HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES; MEDICINE, GENERAL & INTERNAL; middle aged; NURSING; Original; Primary Health Care; primary prevention; PSYCHIATRY; PSYCHOLOGY; risk factors
• ISSN: 1980-5764; 1980-5764
• DOI: 10.1590/1980-57642021dn15-020012

It is important to assess the prevalence of risk factors for dementia to slow down the progression and evolution of the disease, and to support interventions and prevention programs. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of these factors in individuals registered in Primary Health Care in Brazil and their relationship with sex and age group. Methods: This was a cross-sectional and quantitative study with n=300 individuals. We evaluated the prevalence of main risk factors (low education, hearing loss, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking, depression, physical inactivity, social isolation, and diabetes mellitus) and others (poor diet, alcohol use, head trauma, monolingualism, visual impairment, and sleep disorders) identified in the literature. Poisson regression was used, according to sex and age group (45-59 years/60+ years). Results: The main risk factors with the highest prevalence were physical inactivity (60.3%) and depressive symptoms and hypertension (56.7% each). Among the other factors, monolingualism (98.0%), visual impairment (84.7%), and irregular consumption of fruits (60.4%), and vegetables (53.5%) prevailed. No differences were identified between sexes. The regression analysis confirmed a significant difference for education and age group, with older individuals having a higher prevalence of low schooling. Conclusion: The results can guide interventions, especially in developing countries. Practice of physical activity and healthy eating should be the focus of these interventions as they can indirectly help in reducing the prevalence of other factors. Early identification, screening and adequate treatment of depressive symptoms, high blood pressure and visual impairment can also contribute to reducing the prevalence of dementia. RESUMO. A identificação da prevalência de fatores de risco para demência é importante para reduzir a velocidade da progressão e evolução da doença, e para subsidiar programas de prevenção e intervenção. Objetivo: O objetivo foi avaliar a prevalência desses fatores em indivíduos cadastrados na Atenção Primária à Saúde (APS), relacionando com sexo e faixa etária. Métodos: Estudo transversal e quantitativo, com n=300 indivíduos acima de 45 anos. Avaliou-se a prevalência dos fatores de risco principais para demência (baixa escolaridade, perda auditiva, hipertensão arterial, obesidade, tabagismo, depressão, inatividade física, isolamento social e diabetes mellitus) e dos outros fatores (má alimentação, consumo de