Anthropometric indicators associated with dementia in the elderly from Florianópolis - SC, Brazil: EpiFloripa Ageing Study

Cien Saude Colet. 2019 Jun 27;24(6):2317-2324. doi: 10.1590/1413-81232018246.20492017.
[Article in Portuguese, English]

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association between dementia and anthropometric indicators in the elderly from Florianópolis.

Method: This is a cross-sectional population-based survey performed with 1,197 elderly (≥ 60 years) in 2013/2014. Dementia was defined as the combined evidence of low MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) score and moderate/severe disability in the activities of daily living. The independent variables were body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), conicity index and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). Logistic regression (crude and adjusted) was performed to identify associated factors.

Results: Dementia prevalence was estimated at 15.1%. After adjustment for sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle and depressive symptoms, dementia was positively associated with the upper tertiles of the BMI (OR: 2.32; CI95%: 1.26-4.25), WC (OR: 2.22; CI95%: 1.20-4.11) and WHtR (OR: 2.30; CI95%: 1.19-4.43).

Conclusion: Results have shown that both obesity and abdominal fat were associated with the outcome, suggesting that BMI, WC and WHtR should be considered in the investigation of this relationship.

O objetivo deste artigo é investigar a associação entre demência e indicadores antropométricos em idosos de Florianópolis. Estudo transversal, de base populacional, realizado com 1.197 idosos (≥ 60 anos) em 2013/2014. A demência foi considerada como a presença conjunta de escore baixo no Miniexame do Estado Mental (MEEM) e a incapacidade funcional moderada/grave nas atividades de vida diária (AVD). As variáveis independentes avaliadas foram: índice de massa corporal (IMC), perímetro da cintura (PC), índice de conicidade e relação cintura/estatura (RCEst). A regressão logística (bruta e ajustada) foi utilizada para identificar os fatores associados. A prevalência estimada de demência foi de 15,1%. Após ajustes para características sociodemográficas, estilo de vida e sintomas depressivos, a demência foi positivamente associada aos tercis superiores do IMC (OR: 2,32; IC95%: 1,26-4,25), PC (OR: 2,22; IC95%: 1,20-4,11) e RCEst. (OR: 2,30; IC95%: 1,19-4,43). De acordo com os resultados, tanto a obesidade quanto a gordura abdominal foram associados ao desfecho, sugerindo que o IMC, o PC e a RCEst. devam ser considerados na investigação dessa relação.

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Fat / metabolism*
  • Activities of Daily Living
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Aging
  • Anthropometry
  • Body Mass Index
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dementia / epidemiology*
  • Disability Evaluation*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Obesity / epidemiology*
  • Risk Factors
  • Waist Circumference
  • Waist-Height Ratio