title: Atrial fibrillation and dementia: results from the Sao Paulo ageing & health study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a controversial risk factor for dementia.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to assess the association between AF and dementia in the "Sao Paulo Ageing & Health" (SPAH) study participants.
  
  
  METHODS
  SPAH is a cross-sectional, population-based study of elderly people living in a deprived neighborhood in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Dementia diagnosis was performed according to the 10/66 study group protocol based on Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) criteria. Diagnosis of AF was made using a 12-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) recording, which was assessed by two cardiologists. Data on demographics and cardiovascular risk factors were also obtained.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Dementia was diagnosed in 66 (4.3%) and AF in 36 (2.4%) of 1,524 participants with a valid ECG. The crude odds ratio (OR) for dementia in participants with AF was 2.8 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.0-8.1; p=0.06) compared with individuals without AF. When analyzing data according to sex, a positive relationship was found in women (OR 4.2; 95% CI: 1.24-15.1; p=0.03). After age-adjustment, however, this association was no longer significant (OR 2.2; 95% CI: 0.6-8.9; p=0.26).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There was no independent association between AF and dementia in this sample. The prevalence of AF may be low in this population owing to premature cardiovascular death.
authors.affiliation: Hospital Universitário, Universidade de São Paulo, Brasil.
authors.forename: Liz Andrea
authors.initials: LA
authors.lastname: Kawabata-Yoshihara
authors.forename: Márcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Scazufca
authors.forename: Itamar de Souza
authors.initials: Ide S
authors.lastname: Santos
authors.forename: Aristarcho
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Whitaker
authors.forename: Vitor Sérgio
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Kawabata
authors.forename: Isabela Martins
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Benseñor
authors.forename: Paulo Rossi
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Menezes
authors.forename: Paulo Andrade
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Lotufo
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001281:Atrial Fibrillation / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001938:Brazil; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors