Three key health factors in midlife are associated with significantly more years lived without dementia, according to a long-term study published in Neurology. The factors are normal blood pressure, the absence of type 2 diabetes and not smoking.
Researchers at NYU Langone Health analysed data from 12,409 people with an average age of 56 who were free of dementia at the start of the study. Participants were followed for an average of 26 years and assessed for high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and smoking. During follow-up, 3,008 developed dementia.
People with none of the three risk factors were expected to live an average of 30.1 more years without dementia. This fell to 26.3 years for those with one risk factor, 21 years for those with two, and just over 17 years for those with all three. The gap between the two groups was nearly 13 years.
The number of people living with dementia could reach 153 million by 2050, but experts say nearly half of all cases could be prevented or delayed.
The study also found that women lived longer without dementia than men, regardless of the number of risk factors. However, the findings show an association and do not prove that maintaining normal blood pressure, preventing type 2 diabetes and not smoking eliminate the risk of dementia.
The number of people living with dementia worldwide is projected to reach 153 million by 2050. Experts estimate that nearly half of all cases could be prevented or delayed by addressing modifiable risk factors, including lifestyle changes.
Source: Guardian
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