A recent study published in Scientific Reports investigates the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia in patients with cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs), revealing a higher risk compared to healthy individuals. Patients with multiple CMDs were particularly vulnerable, with the highest risk observed in those with three concurrent conditions.
Background
Cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) encompass conditions like heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. These diseases are significant contributors to global health burdens and are largely preventable. On the other hand, dementia, a severe cognitive disorder that impairs memory, reasoning, and other intellectual functions, remains without a cure. Preventing its onset has become a priority in research due to its rising global prevalence, now affecting over 57 million individuals.
The study suggests that genetics, aging populations, unhealthy lifestyle choices, and rising pollution levels exacerbate the risk of dementia, particularly among those with CMDs. Research indicates that CMDs increase the likelihood of dementia, with individuals diagnosed with multiple CMDs facing even greater risks.
The Study
The study aimed to understand how ambient air pollution and lifestyle factors impact the dementia/MCI risk in CMD patients. The data was drawn from the UK Biobank, a comprehensive medical database of over 500,000 adults. The research analyzed more than 438,000 participants, including those diagnosed with one, two, or three CMDs, and tracked their health over an average period of 15.12 years.
Exposure to air pollutants such as PM2.5, PM10, and NO2 was evaluated using land-use regression models. Lifestyle factors like diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, physical activity, sleep, social relationships, and sedentary behavior were also assessed.
Key Findings
Increased Risk with CMDs: Patients with CMDs had a significantly higher risk of developing MCI and dementia, with the risk increasing with the number of CMDs:
MCI: 1.951 times higher
All-cause dementia: 1.554 times higher
Alzheimer’s disease: 1.216 times higher
Vascular dementia: 2.032 times higher
Exacerbating Effect of Air Pollution: Exposure to air pollution, especially PM2.5 and NO2, exacerbated the risk of dementia and MCI, with higher pollutant levels corresponding to a higher likelihood of cognitive decline.
Lifestyle Protection: Healthy lifestyle behaviors, such as regular physical activity, non-smoking status, and strong social relationships, were found to mitigate the effects of air pollution on dementia risk. This suggests that even patients exposed to high pollution levels can reduce their dementia risk by maintaining healthy habits.
The Impact of Multiple CMDs: The study confirmed that having more than one CMD significantly escalates the risk of cognitive decline. Patients with three CMDs had a much higher risk of dementia and MCI, emphasizing the cumulative impact of these conditions on brain health.
Conclusions
This study underscores the significant role of lifestyle choices in mitigating the cognitive risks associated with cardiometabolic diseases and environmental pollutants. It provides clear evidence that a combination of healthier living habits can protect against the onset of MCI and dementia, even for individuals with multiple CMDs.
The findings emphasize the need for public health initiatives to focus on reducing exposure to harmful pollutants and promoting lifestyle changes to prevent dementia. Clinicians, healthcare providers, and CMD patients can use this information to take proactive steps in managing their health, ultimately lowering the risk of cognitive decline.
Given that dementia remains incurable, early intervention through lifestyle modification is crucial in the battle against its rising prevalence.
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