Risk Factors for Dementia Incidence Based on Previous Results of the Specific Health Checkups in Japan

Abstract

Dementia is a common disease in elderly people, with its prevalence expanding rapidly worldwide. Longitudinal and cohort studies on lifestyle and health conditions are needed to identify the risk of dementia. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for dementia incidence in Japan and to clarify the strategy for its primary care. In this study, an analysis was performed to investigate the association between the cognitive faculty level of the long-term care certification survey and the previous results of the specific health checkups in Japan. To investigate the risk factor for dementia incidence, a multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed, which showed a significant odds ratio for the incidence of dementia for two items, including abdominal circumference and insulin injections or oral hypoglycemic medications. The findings of our study suggested that a lower abdominal circumference had a higher risk for dementia incidence, and individuals who received insulin injections or oral hypoglycemic medications had a higher risk for dementia incidence based on the results of the health checkups conducted 10 years previously. Further, longer duration study with a larger sample is needed to identify the items from the specific health checkups that are associated with the risk of dementia.