Hypertension and diabetes as risk factors for dementia: A secondary post-hoc analysis from north-west India.
BACKGROUND
A relation between midlife risk factors (hypertension and diabetes) and dementia has been studied in past and an association has been documented, in spite of some studies pointing to the contrary.


METHODS
The study was based on post-hoc analysis of data obtained from a study conducted on an elderly population (60 years and above) from selected geographical areas (migrant, urban, rural and tribal) of the Himachal Pradesh state in North-West India.


RESULTS
Analysis of variance revealed an effect of risk factors on cognitive scores; however, post hoc Tukey's honest significant difference (HSD) test revealed that only hypertensives' demonstrated higher chances of scoring lower on cognitive measures.


CONCLUSIONS
The possibility that hypertension and diabetes affect dementia needs further evaluation, more so in Indian context.
Department of Community Medicine, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Sunil Kumar
SK
Raina
Department of Community Medicine, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Vishav
V
Chander
Department of Medicine, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Sujeet
S
Raina
Department of Community Medicine, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Dinesh
D
Kumar
Scientist D, Non-communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research, India.
Ashoo
A
Grover
Department of Community Medicine, Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India.
Ashok
A
Bhardwaj
Dementia; diabetes; hypertension; north-west India; post-hoc