Comparison of Alzheimer's disease in Native Americans and Whites.
OBJECTIVE
This study compared medical history and findings on initial clinical examination in Native Americans diagnosed with possible or probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) at Native American satellite clinics of the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center's Alzheimer's Disease Center with those of Whites diagnosed with probable AD at the UT Southwestern Medical Center's Alzheimer's Disease Clinic.


METHODS
The information reviewed was contained in the database of the UT Southwestern Alzheimer's Disease Center.


RESULTS
In relation to Whites, Native Americans had slightly but significantly greater age at onset of symptoms (71.7 vs. 69.6 years, t = -2.08, p = .04) and equivalent cognitive scores at evaluation (Mini-Mental State Exam score = 17.4 vs. 18.5, t = 0.98, p = .33), despite significantly lower educational level (11.4 vs. 13.4 years, t = 5.63, p < .001). Native Americans were more frequently depressed on examination (22.8% vs. 9.5%, chi2 = 12, p = .001) and reported diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease significantly more often than did Whites (p < .01 for all), but their survival time after AD diagnosis was similar to that of Whites despite these comorbidities.


CONCLUSIONS
With the exception of a greater prevalence of depression and cardiovascular risk factors in Native Americans than in Whites, Native Americans had a course of illness similar to that of Whites.
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9070, USA. myron.weiner@utsouthwestern.edu
Myron F
MF
Weiner
Roger N
RN
Rosenberg
Doris
D
Svetlik
Linda S
LS
Hynan
Kyle B
KB
Womack
Charles
C
White
Shane
S
Good
Carey
C
Fuller
David
D
Wharton
Ralph
R
Richter
D000046:Academic Medical Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality; D002423:Cause of Death; D003151:Community Health Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007198:Indians, North American / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D009825:Oklahoma; D012307:Risk Factors; D013781:Texas; D044465:White People / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*