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Hypertension (Dallas, Tex. : 1979) Feb 2023Prior meta-analyses report a 2- to 4-fold increased risk of later cardiovascular disease among women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Given... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Prior meta-analyses report a 2- to 4-fold increased risk of later cardiovascular disease among women with a history of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Given HDP's vascular underpinnings, it is hypothesized to also be a risk factor for later dementia. We aim to summarize the evidence for the impact of HDP on dementia and consider unique associations between HDP and dementia subtypes.
METHODS
Observational studies on the relationship between HDP and dementia were identified from online electronic databases to July 1, 2021 (PROSPERO identifier: CRD42020185630). We included observational studies published in English. Exposure among women was any HDP and HDP subtypes: gestational hypertension, preeclampsia/eclampsia, or other/unspecified HDP. Outcome was any dementia and dementia subtypes: Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, or other/unspecified dementias.
RESULTS
For our primary analyses, we included 5 cohort studies with a total of 183 874 women with and 2 309 705 women without HDP. Pooled analysis found a 38% higher risk of all-cause dementia among women with, versus without, any type of HDP (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.38 [95% CI, 1.18-1.61]; <0.01). When examining association by HDP and dementia subtypes, we found that women with, versus without, any type of HDP had over a 3-fold higher risk of vascular dementia (adjusted hazard ratio, 3.14 [95% CI, 2.32-4.24]; <0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
Our findings indicate that maternal history of HDP is an important risk factor for later development of vascular and all-cause dementia. Further research among more racially/ethnically diverse populations quantifying HDP's effect on all-cause dementia, and specifically vascular dementia, is warranted.
Topics: Pregnancy; Female; Humans; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced; Dementia, Vascular; Pre-Eclampsia; Risk Factors; Cohort Studies; Observational Studies as Topic
PubMed: 36345823
DOI: 10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.122.19399 -
Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.) Sep 2016Engaging in late-life cognitive activity is often proposed as a strategy to delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias. However, it is unclear to what... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Engaging in late-life cognitive activity is often proposed as a strategy to delay or prevent Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias. However, it is unclear to what extent the available evidence supports a causal effect of cognitive activity in dementia prevention.
METHODS
We systematically searched PubMed and EMBASE through June 2014 to identify peer-reviewed epidemiologic studies of cognitive activity and incidence of AD or all-cause dementia. Eligible articles analyzed data from cohort or nested case-control studies, explicitly defined cognitive activity, evaluated participants for AD or all-cause dementia using clearly defined criteria, and provided effect estimates adjusted for at least age and sex. We describe methodologic issues and biases relevant to interpretation of these studies, and quantify the degree of bias due to confounding and reverse causation required to nullify typically observed associations.
RESULTS
We reviewed 12 studies involving 13,939 participants and 1,663 dementia cases, of which 565 were specifically evaluated as AD. Most studies found associations between late-life cognitive activity and lower AD and/or all-cause dementia incidence. Differences in cognitive activity operationalization across studies precluded meta-analysis of effect estimates. Our bias analysis indicated that the observed inverse associations are probably robust to unmeasured confounding, and likely only partially explained by reverse causation.
CONCLUSION
Our systematic review and bias analyses provide support for the hypothesis that late-life cognitive activity offers some reduction in AD and all-cause dementia risk. However, more data are needed to confirm this relationship and on the optimal type, duration, intensity, and timing of that activity.
Topics: Alzheimer Disease; Bias; Case-Control Studies; Causality; Cognition; Cohort Studies; Confounding Factors, Epidemiologic; Dementia; Humans; Incidence; Proportional Hazards Models; Protective Factors
PubMed: 27227783
DOI: 10.1097/EDE.0000000000000513 -
Dementia (London, England) Nov 2014Attachment bonds are important for personality development, emotion regulation and mental health throughout the lifespan. This systematic review explores the relevance... (Review)
Review
Attachment bonds are important for personality development, emotion regulation and mental health throughout the lifespan. This systematic review explores the relevance of attachment for people with dementia, and how attachment influences the experience of caregivers of people with dementia. Eighteen studies were included. Three focused on attachment in terms of parent fixation in dementia, three examined attachment behaviour in dementia, five addressed attachment and dementia-related behavioural problems, and seven concentrated on attachment in caregivers. Attachment behaviours were evident at various stages of dementia and the presence of parent fixation was observed when attachment needs were not being met. Insecure attachment was related to neuropsychiatric symptoms. Attachment security had important consequences for caregiver psychological health. Implications of methodological issues such as the choice of respondent, measurement issues, and the lack of a longitudinal perspective are discussed. The implications of attachment for the support of people with dementia and caregivers are considered.
Topics: Caregivers; Dementia; Humans; Object Attachment; Professional-Patient Relations
PubMed: 24339081
DOI: 10.1177/1471301213485232 -
Radiation Research May 2023The number of people living with dementia is rising globally as life expectancy increases. Dementia is a multifactorial disease. Due to the ubiquity of radiation... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
The number of people living with dementia is rising globally as life expectancy increases. Dementia is a multifactorial disease. Due to the ubiquity of radiation exposure in medical and occupational settings, the potential association between radiation and dementia, and its subtypes (Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease), is of particular importance. There has also been an increased interest in studying radiation induced dementia risks in connection with the long-term manned space travel proposed by The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Our aim was to systematically review the literature on this topic, and use meta-analysis to generate a summary measure of association, assess publication bias and explore sources of heterogeneity across studies. We identified five types of exposed populations for this review: 1. survivors of atomic bombings in Japan; 2. patients treated with radiation therapy for cancer or other diseases; 3. occupationally exposed workers; 4. those exposed to environmental radiation; and 5. patients exposed to radiation from diagnostic radiation imaging procedures. We included studies that considered incident or mortality outcomes for dementia and its subtypes. Following PRISMA guidelines, we systematically searched the published literature indexed in PubMed between 2001 and 2022. We then abstracted the relevant articles, conducted a risk-of-bias assessment, and fit random effects models using the published risk estimates. After we applied our eligibility criteria, 18 studies were identified for review and retained for meta-analysis. For dementia (all subtypes), the summary relative risk was 1.11 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.18; P = 0.001) comparing individuals receiving 100 mSv of radiation to those with no exposure. The corresponding summary relative risk for Parkinson's disease incidence and mortality was 1.12 (95% CI 1.07, 1.17; P <0.001). Our results provide evidence that exposure to ionizing radiation increases the risk of dementia. However, our findings should be interpreted with caution due to the small number of included studies. Longitudinal studies with improved exposure characterization, incident outcomes, larger sample size, and the ability to adjust for effects of potential confounders are needed to better assess the possible causal link between ionizing radiation and dementia.
Topics: United States; Humans; Parkinson Disease; Radiation, Ionizing; Dementia; Japan
PubMed: 37293601
DOI: 10.1667/rade-22-00153.1 -
Neurology Oct 2022Leisure activities are major components of modifiable and healthy lifestyles and are proposed to help prevent the development of dementia. This study aimed to assess the... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Leisure activities are major components of modifiable and healthy lifestyles and are proposed to help prevent the development of dementia. This study aimed to assess the effects of different types of leisure activities, including cognitive, physical, and social activities, on the incidence of all-cause dementia (ACD), Alzheimer disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VD).
METHODS
We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of the Cochrane, PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases to identify longitudinal studies that examined associations between leisure activities and dementia. Relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Subgroup analyses were used to estimate potential effect modifiers. The study was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019116857).
RESULTS
A total of 38 longitudinal studies, with 2,154,818 participants at baseline, 74,700 ACD cases, 2,848 AD cases, and 1,423 VD cases during follow-up, were included in the meta-analysis. The subgroup analyses showed that physical (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.78-0.88), cognitive (RR 0.77; 95% CI 0.68-0.87), and social (RR 0.93; 95% CI 0.87-0.99) activities were associated with a decreased incidence of ACD. In addition, physical (RR 0.87; 95% CI 0.78-0.96) and cognitive (RR 0.66; 95% CI 0.52-0.85) activities were related to a reduced risk of AD. Physical activity (RR 0.67; 95% CI 0.53-0.85) was associated with a lower incidence of VD.
DISCUSSION
Our findings suggest that leisure activities are inversely associated with a risk of ACD, AD, and VD.
Topics: Humans; Dementia; Risk Factors; Alzheimer Disease; Dementia, Vascular; Leisure Activities
PubMed: 35948447
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000200929 -
PloS One 2018Possible dementia is usually identified in primary care by general practitioners (GPs) who refer to specialists for diagnosis. Only two-thirds of dementia cases are... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Possible dementia is usually identified in primary care by general practitioners (GPs) who refer to specialists for diagnosis. Only two-thirds of dementia cases are currently recorded in primary care, so increasing the proportion of cases diagnosed is a strategic priority for the UK and internationally. Variables in the primary care record may indicate risk of developing dementia, and could be combined in a predictive model to help find patients who are missing a diagnosis. We conducted a meta-analysis to identify clinical entities with potential for use in such a predictive model for dementia in primary care.
METHODS AND FINDINGS
We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Web of Science and primary care database bibliographies. We included cohort or case-control studies which used routinely collected primary care data, to measure the association between any clinical entity and dementia. Meta-analyses were performed to pool odds ratios. A sensitivity analysis assessed the impact of non-independence of cases between studies. From a sift of 3836 papers, 20 studies, all European, were eligible for inclusion, comprising >1 million patients. 75 clinical entities were assessed as risk factors for all cause dementia, Alzheimer's (AD) and Vascular dementia (VaD). Data included were unexpectedly heterogeneous, and assumptions were made about definitions of clinical entities and timing as these were not all well described. Meta-analysis showed that neuropsychiatric symptoms including depression, anxiety, and seizures, cognitive symptoms, and history of stroke, were positively associated with dementia. Cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, heart disease, dyslipidaemia and diabetes were positively associated with VaD and negatively with AD. Sensitivity analyses showed similar results.
CONCLUSIONS
These findings are of potential value in guiding feature selection for a risk prediction tool for dementia in primary care. Limitations include findings being UK-focussed. Further predictive entities ascertainable from primary care data, such as changes in consulting patterns, were absent from the literature and should also be explored in future studies.
Topics: Dementia; Humans; Models, Statistical; Primary Health Care; Records; Risk Factors
PubMed: 29596471
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0194735 -
International Journal of Geriatric... Aug 2023Dementia Care Navigators (DCNs) are professionals without clinical training, who provide individualised emotional and practical support to people living with dementia,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Dementia Care Navigators (DCNs) are professionals without clinical training, who provide individualised emotional and practical support to people living with dementia, working alongside clinical services. Navigator services have been implemented but the service offered vary without a consistent overview provided. The aim of this narrative systematic review was to describe and compare existing service formats, and to synthesise evidence regarding their implementation and impacts.
METHODS
The review was registered on PROSPERO [CRD42021292518]. Three electronic databases were searched and included studies reported on a DCN service, defined as a service in which non-clinically trained workers provide personalised advice and support to people with dementia and/or carers in the community. Two independent reviewers screened abstracts and titles and read through full papers for inclusion. Risk of bias was assessed using the Standard Quality Assessment QualSyst.
RESULTS
We included 14 papers reporting on six studies. All services were US-based and only varied by integration and training provided. Studies reported different degrees of impact on service utilisation and on symptoms and mental well-being of people with dementia and their carers, with too little evidence to draw substantial/meaningful conclusions and studies employing different outcome measures. One study evidenced greater impacts on people with more advanced dementia compared to earlier stages.
CONCLUSIONS
DCN services have the potential to effectively provide non-clinical support to people with dementia and carers from the point of diagnosis. Further research from countries other than the USA, focusing on the impact on social care and social support service access and utilisation, and utilising similar established outcome measures are required.
Topics: Humans; Prevalence; Mental Health; Caregivers; Social Support; Dementia
PubMed: 37526320
DOI: 10.1002/gps.5977 -
Neurologia 2024Risk factors for dementia include genetic factors, aging, environmental factors, certain diseases, and unhealthy lifestyle; most types of dementia share a common chronic... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Risk factors for dementia include genetic factors, aging, environmental factors, certain diseases, and unhealthy lifestyle; most types of dementia share a common chronic systemic inflammatory phenotype. Psoriasis is also considered to be a chronic systemic inflammatory disease. It has been suggested that psoriasis may also contribute to the risk of dementia. The aim of this study was to systematically review the literature on the association between psoriasis and dementia.
DEVELOPMENT
Articles were selected according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. We searched the PubMed and Web of Science databases to identify articles published in peer-reviewed journals and studying the association between psoriasis and dementia. Studies meeting the inclusion criteria were reviewed. We used the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale to assess the quality of each study. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we included 8 studies for review, 3 of which were found to present a higher risk of bias. Six of the 8 studies supported the hypothesis that prior diagnosis of psoriasis increases the risk of dementia; one study including only a few cases reported that psoriasis decreased the risk of dementia, and one study including relatively young patients found no significant association between psoriasis and the risk of dementia.
CONCLUSION
Most studies included in this review supported the hypothesis that psoriasis constitutes a risk factor for dementia. However, well-designed stratified cohort studies assessing both psoriasis severity and treatment status are still required to determine the real effect of psoriasis on the risk of dementia and its subtypes.
Topics: Humans; Chronic Disease; Psoriasis; Risk Factors; Dementia
PubMed: 38161072
DOI: 10.1016/j.nrleng.2023.12.005 -
BMJ Open Jan 2018To evaluate the association between the quality of relationship between a person with dementia and their family carer and outcomes for the person with dementia. (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the association between the quality of relationship between a person with dementia and their family carer and outcomes for the person with dementia.
DESIGN
Systematic review.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Cohort studies of people with clinically diagnosed dementia and their main carers. Exposures of interest were any elements of relationship quality, for example, attachment style, expressed emotion and coping style. Our primary outcome was institutionalisation, and secondary outcomes were hospitalisation, death, quality of life and behavioural and psychiatric symptoms of dementia ('challenging behaviour').
DATA SOURCES
MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, PsycInfo, the Cochrane Library and Opengrey were searched from inception to May 2017.
STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS
The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess risk of bias. A narrative synthesis of results was performed due to differences between studies.
RESULTS
Twenty studies were included. None of the studies controlled for all prespecified confounding factors (age, gender, socioeconomic status and severity of dementia). Reporting of results was inadequate with many studies simply reporting whether associations were 'statistically significant' without providing effect size estimates or CIs. There was a suggestion of an association between relationship factors and global challenging behaviour. All studies evaluating global challenging behaviour provided statistical evidence of an association (most P values below 0.02). There was no consistent evidence for an association for any other outcome assessed.
CONCLUSIONS
There is currently no strong or consistent evidence on the effects of relationship factors on institutionalisation, hospitalisation, death or quality of life for people with dementia. There was a suggestion of an association between relationship factors and challenging behaviour, although the evidence for this was weak. To improve our ability to support those with dementia and their families, further robust studies are needed.
PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER
CRD42015020518.
Topics: Adaptation, Psychological; Caregivers; Dementia; Family Relations; Hospitalization; Humans; Quality of Life; Risk Factors
PubMed: 29358414
DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2016-015538 -
Public Health Oct 2023Although shift work has been reported as having a link to dementia, evidence remains inconsistent, and a comprehensive dose-response meta-analysis of the association is... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
Although shift work has been reported as having a link to dementia, evidence remains inconsistent, and a comprehensive dose-response meta-analysis of the association is still lacking. We therefore conducted this meta-analysis to explore the association between shift work and the risk of dementia.
STUDY DESIGN
Systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were systematically searched. Fixed or random-effects models were used to estimate the summary relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Generalized least squares regression was used to estimate dose-response associations, and restricted cubic splines were used to examine possible linear or non-linear associations.
RESULTS
Five articles (10 studies) with 72,999 participants and 23,067 cases were eventually included in the meta-analysis. The summary RRs and 95% CIs of dementia risk with shift work and night shift work versus daytime work were 1.13 (95% CI: 1.05-1.21, I = 46.70%) and 1.13 (95% CI: 1.03-1.24, I = 9.20%), respectively. The risk of dementia increased by 1% (RR = 1.01, 95% CI: 1.01-1.02, I = 41.3%) with each 1-year increase in the duration of shift work. We found a non-linear dose-response association between the duration of shift work and the risk of dementia (P = 0.006). Though the shape of the curve was steeper with the duration of shift work <7 years, the increase was more gradual after 7 years.
CONCLUSION
Our findings suggest that shift work may be a risk factor for future dementia and that controlling the length of shift work is a feasible measure that may contribute to prevent dementia.
Topics: Humans; Shift Work Schedule; Risk Factors; Dementia
PubMed: 37625271
DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2023.07.029