Alzheimer’s: A large part of the diseases might be prevented
More than one and a half million people with dementia are currently living in Germany. Most of them have Alzheimer. It is assumed that the number of diseases will increase sharply in the coming years. However, a large proportion of cases might be prevented if the known modifiable risk factors would be consistently minimized.
Die Alzheimerdisease (“Alzheimer’s disease”) is the most common form of dementia. So far, the disease is incurable, but many cases are preventable. This is also shown by a publication in the specialist journal “Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease“ published a study that calculated how many cases of dementia might be prevented if the known modifiable risk factors were consistently minimized.
The number of diseases will increase continuously
Like the German Center for Gerontology (DZA) reports, there are currently around 1.6 million people with dementia living in Germany. This number will continue to increase due to demographic change, to an estimated 2.8 million in 2050, writes the German Society for Neurology eV (DGN) in a current issue Message.
Against this background, the possible prevention of dementia takes on a whole new meaning, especially since, according to one in the specialist journal “The LancetAccording to the published study, more than every third disease would be preventable.
Various dementia risk factors have been identified in epidemiological studies; they are divided into factors that cannot be influenced and factors that can be modified. While genetics cannot be changed, many others can—especially lifestyle factors – be actively improved by individuals.
Other areas (such as the education sector) also require early political strategies. The study mentioned at the beginning recently showed that, following analyzing the respective initial situation, it might even make sense to change the strategies of the dementia prevention adapt to specific regions and populations.
Preventable diseases
In this work, using California as an example, it was examined whether national estimates of incidence and their potential for improvement may be transferred to other states or regions. Data from participants (over 18 years of age) of the BRFSS survey (“Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System”) from the entire USA (n=378,615) and separately from California (n=9,836) were analyzed.
For eight known dementia risk factors (physical inactivity, smoking, Depressionlow level of education, Diabetes diabetes obesity or high blood pressure in middle age and hearing loss) the so-called population-related attributable risk (PAR) was determined, ie the proportion of patients who can be attributed to the respective factor.
In doing so, an accessible Reduction of the most important risk factors by 25 percent.
As a result, a total of 28.9 percent of dementias in California were at the expense of one combination of risk factors, compared to 36.9 percent nationally. This brought the total case count to 199,246 in California and 2,287,683 in the United States.
The three most important risk factors
The top three risk factors were the same (lower level of education, obesity in middle age and physical inactivity or physical inactivity). However, their relative importance differed.
For example, in California, the impact of low education was 14.9 percent (US 11.7 percent), obesity 14.9 percent (US 17.7 percent), and physical inactivity, respectively lack of exercise 10.3 percent (US 11.8 percent).
One lowering of the combined risk factors by 25 percent would reduce the number of cases in California by 40,000 and in the whole US by 445,000 cases. The authors attribute the more favorable figures for California compared to the entire USA to an overall lower prevalence of most modifiable risk factors.
However, the three most important risk factors were the same (poor educational attainment, middle-aged obesity, and physical inactivity). Therefore, according to the experts, these three should also be the target for interventions to get voted.
Harmful effects of an unhealthy lifestyle
“We know what harmful effects an unhealthy one can have way of life on the cardiovascular system and the risk of cancer – but that they also have such a dramatic effect on the health of our brain is not yet generally known, even in Germany.”, says Prof. Dr. Hans-Christoph Diener, spokesman for the DGN.
“Many neurological diseases are not irreversible fatebut can be prevented”, said Prof. dr. Peter Berlit, General Secretary of the DGN. (ad)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the requirements of medical specialist literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Sources:
- German Society for Neurology eV: World Alzheimer’s Day: About a third of all Alzheimer’s diseases are preventable, (accessed: September 17, 2022), German Society for Neurology eV
- Hoffmann CM, Nianogo RA, Yaffe K et al.: Importance of Accounting for Regional Differences in Modifiable Risk Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias: The Case for Tailored Interventions; in: Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, (veröffentlicht: 30.07.2022), Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease
- German Center for Age Issues: Acting together for people with dementia in Germany, (accessed: September 17, 2022), National Dementia Strategy
- Livingston G, Huntley J, Sommerlad A et al.: Dementia prevention, intervention, and care: 2020 report of the Lancet Commission; in: The Lancet, (veröffentlicht: 30.07.2020), The Lancet
Important NOTE:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.
