The Geography of the Alzheimer's Disease Mortality in Spain: Should We Focus on Industrial Pollutants Prevention?

Èrica Martínez-Solanas,Montse Vergara-Duarte,Glòria Pérez,Miquel Ortega Cerdà,Juan Martín-Sánchez,Maria Buxó,Joan Benach,Eduard Rodríguez-Farré

doi:10.3390/healthcare5040089

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) has a high worldwide prevalence but little is known about its aetiology and risk factors. Recent research suggests environmental factors might increase AD risk. We aim to describe the association between AD mortality and the presence of highly polluting industry in small areas in Spain between 1999 and 2010. We calculated AD age-adjusted Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR), stratified by sex, grouped by industrial pollution density, compared for each small area of Spain. In the small areas with the highest mortality, the SMR among women was at least 25% greater than the national average (18% in men). The distribution of AD mortality was generally similar to that of high industrial pollution (higher mortality in the north, the Mediterranean coast and in some southern areas). The risk of AD mortality among women was 140% higher (123% among men) in areas with the highest industrial density in comparison to areas without polluting industries. This study has identified a geographical pattern of small areas with higher AD mortality risk and an ecological positive association with the density of highly polluting industry. Further research is needed on the potential impact of this type of industry pollution on AD aetiology and mortality.

Highlights

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia [1]
Little is known about the aetiology of AD and its associated risk factors
Some studies have suggested that exposure to chemical contaminants such as aluminium, mercury, lead and pesticides increase the risk of neurodegenerative disease [5,6]

Summary

Introduction

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common type of dementia [1]. Little is known about the aetiology of AD and its associated risk factors. This study is aimed to describe the relationship between AD mortality and the presence of polluting industries in small areas of Spain for the period 1999–2010. We conducted an ecological study of AD-mortality and industrial polluting exposure in 2218 small areas of Spain (municipalities or aggregated municipalities) from the period 1999–2010. Levels of industrial exposure were estimated by the number and the presence (yes/no) of facilities register in the Spanish Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) [8] for 2010 in each of the 2218 small areas. 2. The Geographical Distribution of Alzheimer’s Disease Mortality and Industrial Pollution. 3. The Association between Alzheimer’s Disease Mortality and Industrial Pollution Exposure. No statistically significant difference was observed among women for the lowest density category

Implications for Further Research

Findings

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