Abstract
BackgroundCurrent evidence suggests that egg composition might have potential neuroprotective effects. Our aim was to determine the association between egg consumption and the risk of dementia in a Mediterranean population.MethodsThis study was carried out in 3 centers from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC)-Spain Dementia Cohort, i.e., 25,015 participants aged 30–70 years, recruited in 1992–1996, and followed up for a mean of 21.5 years.ResultsA total of 774 incident dementia cases were diagnosed and validated, of which 518 were Alzheimer's disease (AD). Data on egg consumption were estimated using a validated dietary history questionnaire at recruitment. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for confounders, were used in the analyses. No association was observed between egg consumption and either total dementia [hazard ratio between extreme quartiles (HRQ4vs.Q1: 1.05; 95% CI 0.85–1.31; p-trend = 0.93)] or AD (HRQ4vs.Q1 0.93; 95% CI 0.72–1.21; p-trend = 0.50) risks. After dividing the population by adherence to the relative Mediterranean diet (rMED) score, a borderline inverse association was found between egg intake and both total dementia (HRQ4vs.Q1: 0.52; 95% CI 0.30–0.90; p-trend = 0.10) and AD (HRQ4vs.Q1: 0.52; 95% CI 0.27–1.01; p-trend = 0.13) risks within participants with low adherence to rMED score. However, no association was observed in participants with medium and high adherence to rMED score.ConclusionThis prospective study suggests that egg consumption is associated with a reduced risk of dementia, and specifically of AD, in the adult population with low adherence to rMED score; whereas it has no impact in subjects with moderate and high MD adherence.
Highlights
Dementia is commonly defined as a progressive cognitive decline that affects multiple cognitive domains causing a decline in independence and daily functions [1]
Participants in the highest quartile of egg consumption were more likely to be from northern Spanish centers (Navarra and Gipuzkoa), men, younger, slightly more overweight, physically active, current smokers, consume more total energy and alcohol have slightly less adherence to an relative Mediterranean diet (rMED) score and less prevalent chronic diseases compared to those in the lowest quartile (Table 1)
A borderline inverse association between egg intake and dementia risk in the low rMED adherence category (HRQ4vs.Q1: 0.52; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.30–0.90; p-trend = 0.10) was observed, but not in the rest of the rMED score categories
Summary
Dementia is commonly defined as a progressive cognitive decline that affects multiple cognitive domains causing a decline in independence and daily functions [1]. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia, which accounts for 60–70% of cases [2]. The prevalence of dementia varies across geographical regions, overall, it increases consistently due to population aging [2, 3]. It impacts ∼50 million people’s lives worldwide and this number is expected to rise up to 152 million by 2050 [3, 4]. There is still no effective treatment for dementia; primary prevention is the most efficient strategy to reduce the incidence rates/burden of the disease. Our aim was to determine the association between egg consumption and the risk of dementia in a Mediterranean population
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