Lifestyle factors and risk of dementia: Dubbo Study of the elderly.
OBJECTIVE
To identify risk factors for dementia in an elderly Australian cohort.


METHODS
A longitudinal cohort study conducted in Dubbo, NSW.


METHODS
2805 men and women aged 60 years and older living in the community and initially free of cognitive impairment, first assessed in 1988 and followed for 16 years.


METHODS
Admission to hospital or nursing home with any kind of dementia.


RESULTS
There were 115 cases of dementia in 1233 men (9.3/100) and 170 cases in 1572 women (10.8/100). In a proportional hazards model for dementia, any intake of alcohol predicted a 34% lower risk, and daily gardening a 36% lower risk. Daily walking predicted a 38% lower risk of dementia in men, but there was no significant prediction in women. The lowest tertile of peak expiratory flow predicted an 84% higher risk of dementia, the upper tertile of depression score predicted a 50% higher risk.


CONCLUSIONS
While excess alcohol intake is to be avoided, it appears safe and reasonable to recommend the continuation of moderate alcohol intake in those already imbibing, as well as the maintenance of physical activity, especially daily gardening, in the hope of reducing the incidence of dementia in future years.
Simons
Leon A
LA
Lipid Research Department, St Vincent's Hospital, Darlinghurst, NSW 2010, Australia. LSimons@notes.med.unsw.edu.au
Simons
Judith
J
McCallum
John
J
Friedlander
Yechiel
Y
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000209:etiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009517:New South Wales; D011998:Recreation; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors