Factors associated with the increased risk of dementia found in the Torres Strait

Sarah G Russell; Rachel Quigley; Fintan Thompson; Betty Sagigi; Gavin Miller; Dina LoGiudice; Kate Smith; Nancy A Pachana; Edward Strivens

doi:10.1111/ajag.12980

Factors associated with the increased risk of dementia found in the Torres Strait

Australas J Ageing. 2022 Mar;41(1):88-96. doi: 10.1111/ajag.12980. Epub 2021 Aug 5.

Authors

Sarah G Russell^{1

2

3}, Rachel Quigley^{1

2

3}, Fintan Thompson³, Betty Sagigi⁴, Gavin Miller², Dina LoGiudice⁵, Kate Smith⁶, Nancy A Pachana⁷, Edward Strivens^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia.
² Queensland Health, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service, Cairns, QLD, Australia.
³ Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Cairns, QLD, Australia.
⁴ Queensland Health, Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service, Thursday Island, QLD, Australia.
⁵ Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry, and Health Sciences, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic., Australia.
⁶ University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia.
⁷ School of Psychology, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.

PMID: 34351674
DOI: 10.1111/ajag.12980

Abstract

Objective: To identify the specific risk factors for dementia in the Torres Strait.

Methods: This research was conducted as part of a cross-sectional dementia prevalence study conducted in the Torres Strait. Participants underwent a comprehensive health assessment, where data on risk factors were collected, and a Geriatrician assessment, which was used to establish dementia diagnoses.

Results: A total of 276 Torres Strait residents aged between 45 and 93 participated in the study. Cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease and older age were the most significant risk factors in this population. Once adjusted for age, cerebrovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, diabetes, low education and problems with mobility and incontinence were significantly associated with dementia.

Conclusions: Reducing dementia risk in the Torres Strait requires multifactorial interventions to address potentially modifiable risk factors with a particular focus on addressing the development of chronic midlife diseases.

Keywords: Indigenous people; ageing; chronic disease; dementia.

MeSH terms

Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Chronic Disease
Cross-Sectional Studies
Dementia* / diagnosis
Dementia* / epidemiology
Humans
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander*
Prevalence

Grants and funding

Project Grant APP 1106175/National Health and Medical Research Council