The cardiovascular risk factors, aging and dementia risk score and Australian national university Alzheimer’s disease risk index among Ethiopians

Abstract

AbstractIntroductionThe burden of dementia is highest in LMICs, and the dementia prevention potential is greater than in high‐income countries. However, the burden of modifiable dementia risk factors is not determined in Ethiopia. The objective of this study is to determine the need for personalized dementia risk reduction among high risk patients in Ethiopia using the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging and Dementia Risk Score (CAIDE) and Australian National University Alzheimer’s Disease Risk Index (ANU‐ADRI) for midlife and late life.MethodsOf the 381 participants in the Amharic Dementia Tool –Ethiopia, 182 (48%) were at their midlife (40‐64 years of age) and studied for CAIDE, and 200 (52%) were at their late‐life (65‐90 years of age) and studied for ANU‐ADRI. Baseline data was collected on exposure to 6 of the 7 risk factors included in the CAIDE study and to 10 of the 12 risk factors included in the ANU‐ADRI study.ResultsThe mean midlife CAIDE score was 6.97 (SD 2.1), and a quarter of midlife study participants (25.5%) had a score value of 9‐12. The mean late life ANU‐ADRI score was 15.3 (SD 11.9) for males and 14.2 (SD 8.5) for females respectively.ConclusionA quarter of midlife CAIDE study participants of our study have a higher risk of progressing to dementia. The calculated mean ANU‐ADRI score 15.3 (SD 11.9) for our study was lower than the calculated mean ANU‐ADRI score for the Rush Memory and Aging Project 20.3 (SD 11.78), and the Kungsholmen Project 32.38 (SD 7.67), but higher than the calculated mean for the Cardiovascular Health Cognition Study 8.86 (SD 8.77). We strongly propose the need for the establishment of Brain Health Services (BHS) in Ethiopia alongside with the memory clinic to assess risk, risk profiling and communication, and interventions.