The Association Between Eye Disease and Incidence of Dementia: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

ObjectivesTo better demonstrate the relationship between common eye diseases and the risk of dementia, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies to investigate the relationship between common eye diseases and dementia.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Setting and ParticipantsPatients with common eye diseases.MethodsWe conducted a systematic search of articles published up to August 25, 2022, of online databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Science. We included cohort studies that evaluated the association of glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), and cataracts with all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD). Relative risks (RRs) and 95% CIs were pooled using random effects model, and heterogeneity was assessed by the I² statistic. Subgroup analysis and sensitivity analysis were also performed.ResultsIn total, 25 studies were included in the meta-analysis, with a total of 11,410,709 participants. Pooled estimates suggested an increased risk of all-cause dementia associated with AMD (RR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.13–1.48), glaucoma (RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.03–1.32), DR (RR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.21–1.63), and cataract (RR,1.23; 95% CI, 1.09–1.40); an increased risk of AD associated with AMD (RR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.06–1.52), glaucoma (RR, 1.18; 95% CI, 1.02–1.38), DR (RR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.04–1.41), and cataracts (RR,1.22; 95% CI, 1.07–1.38). No association was observed between incident VaD and any eye diseases. The results of subgroup analyses were consistent with those in meta-analysis of DR and risk of all-cause dementia. Meta-regressions suggested geographic regions as potential sources of heterogeneity for the association between AMD and all-cause dementia, AMD and AD, glaucoma and dementia, glaucoma, and AD, respectively.Conclusions and ImplicationsAMD, glaucoma, DR, and cataract may be associated with an increased risk of all-cause dementia and AD, but not VaD. However, the results should be interpreted cautiously because of the high heterogeneity and unstable findings in some subgroup analyses.     

Nutritional Status Is Associated With Clinical Progression in Alzheimer's Disease: The NUDAD Project

ObjectiveIn cognitively normal adults, nutritional parameters are related to cognitive decline and incidence of dementia. Studies on the role of nutrition in predementia stages subjective cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment, and mild stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia in a clinical setting are lacking. In the absence of a curative treatment, this evidence is important for targeting nutritional factors to potentially prevent or delay further cognitive decline. Our aim is to investigate associations of nutritional parameters with clinical progression in patients ranging from those who are cognitively normal to those who have AD dementia.DesignLongitudinal.Setting and ParticipantsMemory clinic, 551 patients (219 with subjective cognitive decline, 135 with mild cognitive impairment, and 197 with AD dementia), mean age 64 ± 8 years.MeasurementsWe assessed body mass index, fat-free mass, Mini-Nutritional Assessment, and dietary intake with the Dutch Healthy Diet food frequency questionnaire and the 238-item healthy life in an urban setting (HELIUS) food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate associations of nutritional parameters with clinical progression. Additional analyses were restricted to patients who were amyloid positive.ResultsWe observed clinical progression in 170 patients (31%) over 2.2 ± 0.9 years. Poorer Mini-Nutritional Assessment score [hazard ratio (95% confidence interval) 1.39 (1.18–1.64)], lower body mass index [1.15 (0.96–1.38)], lower fat-free mass [1.40 (0.93–2.10)], and a less healthy dietary pattern [1.22 (1.01–1.48)] were associated with a higher risk of clinical progression. Similar effect sizes were found in patients who were amyloid positive.Conclusions and ImplicationsPoorer nutritional status and a less healthy dietary pattern are associated with a higher risk of clinical progression. This study provides support for investigating whether improving nutritional status can alter the clinical trajectory of AD.     

Mortality with Alzheimer's disease and dementia in France, 2006

BackgroundAlzheimer's and related diseases have become a major public health issue in all developed countries, particularly with the aging of the population. Given the potential burden of these pathologies, the French government launched a third National Alzheimer's Strategic Plan 2008–2012 in 2008. The aim of the study was to provide French data on the mortality statistics of Alzheimer's and related diseases by age, gender, and geographical area.MethodsAnalyses were based on the number of deaths from Alzheimer's disease (AD) and dementia, extracted from the 2000–2006 French National Mortality Registry (Inserm-Centre d’épidémiologie sur les causes médicales de décès [CépiDc]). Underlying and multiple causes of death were taken into account. Gender, age, area of residence, and place of death were noted for all subjects deceased with AD or dementia. Mortality rates were standardized on the truncated 60+ French 2006 population. Mortality rates were also estimated by 5-year age groups. Causes of death in demented and nondemented people were compared by estimating an age-adjusted relative-risk ratio.ResultsIn France, in 2006, AD or dementia was reported as the underlying cause or a multiple cause of death on 45,597 death certificates. Among these death certificates, 70% were women and the mean age at death was 85.9 years. Age-standardized mortality rates were 341/100,000 person-years for men and 333/100,000 person-years for women. Age-specific mortality rates increased with age and were higher in women than in men over 90 years of age. The analysis of the changes in mortality rates showed an overall increase of 11.3% between 2000 and 2006. The most frequent underlying cause when AD or dementia was mentioned as an associated cause were cardiovascular diseases (40.5%), neoplasms (11.9%), and endocrine diseases (8.5%).ConclusionThe analysis of mortality data on AD and dementia provides insight into the burden of these diseases in France. If carried out regularly, these analyses can provide trend analyses of mortality rates.     

Apolipoprotein E ε4 Modifies the Effect of Possible Anticholinergic Drugs on Incident Dementia: The Shanghai Aging Study

ObjectivesTo validate the hypothesis that apolipoprotein E (APOE) ε4 modifies the effect of possible anticholinergic drugs (PACDs) on incident dementia among older adults.DesignA population-based prospective study.Setting and ParticipantsDementia-free older adults in an urban community in Shanghai, China.MethodsAt baseline, PACDs were defined according to the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden Scale. Standard daily dose (SDD) of PACDs was calculated. A battery of neuropsychological tests was used to assess cognition and the consensus diagnosis was conducted for incident dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Multivariate Cox regression models were used to examine the association between PACD use and the risk of dementia and AD in APOE ε4 carriers and noncarriers.ResultsWe followed 1406 dementia-free participants for a median of 5.3 years and defined 117 incident dementia cases, among which 89 were AD. Only in APOE ε4 carriers was PACD use associated with incident dementia [hazard ratio (HR) 5.71; 95% CI 2.04–15.94] and AD (HR 5.73; 95% CI 1.77–18.54); SDD was positively associated with incident dementia (HR 2.42; 95% CI 1.32–4.44) and AD (HR 2.16; 95% CI 1.06–4.41).Conclusions and ImplicationsUsing PACDs requires judicious consideration for the potential risk of dementia and AD in older adults carrying APOE ε4.     

肺炎克雷伯菌致新生儿腹泻爆发的报告

20 0 1年 7～ 8月从 7例新生儿腹泻的粪便及外环境中 ,分离出 2 9株肺炎克雷伯菌 ,现报告如下。1.临床资料 :女婴 3例、男婴 4例。年龄为 3～ 13ｄ。均有发热、腹胀 ,最高体温 39.3℃ ,腹泻 3～ 6次 日。起初大都为褐色水样便 ,继之为黄色水样及粘液脓样便。其中 2例患儿呕吐严重 ,出现脱水及抽搐。未发现败血症型与死亡病例。2 .细菌学培养与鉴定 :将粪便与外环境标本 (用无菌棉拭子蘸取肉汤培养基 ,于产床及桌面等表面涂擦后 ) ,接种于ＳＳ琼脂和麦康凯琼脂平板并于无菌肉汤中继续增菌培养。35℃ 2 4ｈ后 ,可见直径 3～ 4ｍｍ高凸、灰白色…     

Transcranial Doppler to Measure Cerebral Blood Flow in Delirium Superimposed on Dementia. A Cohort Study

ObjectiveDelirium superimposed on dementia (DSD) is frequently not diagnosed, at great cost. Both delirium and dementia are associated with cerebral hypoperfusion. A switch to anaerobic glycolysis in the central nervous system during delirium compared to Alzheimer's dementia (AD) suggests greater hypoperfusion in DSD. The main aims of this study were to investigate whether cerebral hypoperfusion could differentiate DSD from related entities, and the characteristics of that hypoperfusion.MethodsProspective cohort study of 44 Geriatric Medicine patients in 4 groups: (1) delirium, no history of dementia; (2) DSD; (3) acute illness without delirium or dementia; and (4) AD, no delirium. We measured CBF using transcranial Doppler to assess flow velocity (FV) and pulsatility index in the middle cerebral artery (MCA).ResultsDSD has lower FV than either AD or delirium alone, or acute illness (28.2 ± 4.7 vs AD: 41.3 ±15.7; P = .040; vs delirium 37.7 ± 8.2; P =.009; vs acute illness 43.0 ± 8.3; P <.001). A mean MCA FV cut-off of 32.25 cm/s diagnoses DSD with a sensitivity of 0.875 and specificity of 0.788, area under the curve 0.884; P = .001. Resolution of delirium improves FV (P = .005). FV correlates with delirium severity (delirium index R = −0.39; P = .009) and dementia (Mini-Mental State Examination, R = 0.33; P = .029, and Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly, R = −0.41; P = .005).ConclusionsTranscranial Doppler is a potential diagnostic and monitoring test for DSD. Correlation with clinical indicators of delirium suggests pathophysiological significance.     

The validity of clinical diagnoses of dementia in a group of consecutively autopsied memory clinic patients

Background: Epidemiological studies show that up to 10 % of individuals aged 65 years and older suffer from dementia, most commonly from dementia of the Alzheimer Type (DAT) [1]. Clinicopathological studies are critical to our understanding of this disease and improving the accuracy of clinical diagnoses.Objectives: Our objectives were to examine the validity of clinical diagnoses of DAT, to determine the prevalence of different forms of dementia in this sample, and to investigate the relationship between age at death and polymorbidity.Subjects and method: Clinical data were available from 221 patients who had been examined at the Basel Memory Clinic between 1986 and 1996. From this population, 34 % (75 patients) were autopsied in the Department of Pathology, University Hospital Basel, and neuropathological examinations were additionally performed on 62 (83 %) of these patients. Clinical and neuropathological data were retrospectively compared.Results: 67.8 % of the neuropathologically examined patients received a definitive diagnosis of AD (Alzheimer’s disease), vascular dementia (VaD) or mixed dementia (AD and VaD). AD alone or with other histopathological hallmarks of dementia was the most prevalent neuropathological diagnosis (63 %). VaD was deemed the only cause of dementia in only 4.8 % of patients. The sensitivity for DAT was 75.9 %, the specificity 60.6 %. Increasing age was associated with an increasing number of clinical and neuropathological diagnoses.Conclusion: The sensitivity and specificity of the clinical diagnoses of DAT found in our study are similar to previous reports (2–5). Older patients had more etiologies of their dementia than younger patients. This study reaffirms the need for internationally accepted criteria for clinical and neuropathological diagnoses, as well as further clinical-neuropathological investigations to further refine the clinical diagnostic process.     

The long-term association between physical activity and risk of dementia in the community: the Hisayama Study

We investigated the long-term influence of physical activity on the risk of dementia in an elderly Japanese population. A total of 803 community-dwelling elderly Japanese individuals without dementia aged ≥65 years were followed prospectively for 17 years. Physically active status was defined as engaging in exercise at least one or more times per week during leisure time, and participants were divided into an active group and an inactive group by the presence or absence of such physical activity. The risk estimates of physical activity on the development of all-cause dementia and its subtypes were computed using a Cox proportional hazards model. During the follow-up, 291 participants developed all-cause dementia. Of these, 165 had Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 93 had vascular dementia (VaD), and 47 had other dementia. Compared with the inactive group, the active group showed significantly lower crude incidence of AD (21.8 vs. 14.2 per 1000 person-years, p = 0.01), but no significant differences were observed for all-cause dementia (35.6 vs. 30.5, p = 0.17), VaD (11.3 vs. 9.8, p = 049), and other dementia (4.6 vs. 7.1, p = 0.15). After adjusting for potential confounders, the relationship between physical activity and risk of AD remained significant (adjusted hazard ratio 0.59, 95 % confidence interval 0.41–0.84, p = 0.003). Our findings suggest that physical activity reduces the long-term risk of dementia, especially AD, in the general Japanese population.     

The Relationship Between Dementia Subtypes and Nutritional Parameters in Older Adults

ObjectivesThere are a few studies showing how nutritional parameters are affected according to dementia subtypes. The aim of this study was to compare the parameters characterizing nutritional status and micronutrient levels according to different dementia subtypes.DesignCross-sectional study.Setting and ParticipantsFour hundred forty outpatients aged 65 years or older.MeasuresNewly diagnosed patients with dementia, who underwent comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA), were retrospectively evaluated. The data on CGA including nutritional status (body mass index), Mini-Nutritional Assessment-Short Form, albumin, and micronutrients (vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin D) were recorded.ResultsOf the 396 patients, 195 were diagnosed with Alzheimer type dementia, 70 dementia with Lewy body (DLB), 25 with vascular dementia (VaD), 51 with frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and 55 with normal pressure hydrocephalus. The mean age of the study group was 76.87 ± 8.15 years. The prevalence of malnutrition and the risk of malnutrition were 17.17% and 43.18% in patients, with dementia, respectively. The results of ordinal logistic analysis adjusted by age, sex, and all comorbidities, showed that patients with DLB and VaD were more likely to develop malnutrition [odds ratios 6.834 and 5.414, respectively (P < .001)], whereas FTD had a lower risk of developing malnutrition than the other dementia subtypes (odds ratio 2.883, P = .002).There was no difference in terms of other parameters including vitamin B12, folate, and vitamin D (P > .05).Conclusionsand Implication: There is a close relationship between dementia and malnutrition. Clinical approaches to minimize malnutrition in persons with dementia should include regular screening for malnutrition and its risk factors, avoidance of dietary restrictions, and support of persons at risk for malnutrition with oral nutritional supplements. Moreover, the influence of nutritional status varies in different types of dementia. Nutritional status may be worse in DLB and VaD compared with other types of dementia, whereas nutritional status in FTD is less.     

Vitamin D status and risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease: A meta-analysis of dose-response†

Objective: We aimed to test the dose-response association of serum 25(OH)D and risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Methods: We performed a systematic search of PubMed and Scopus from database inception up to September 2017. Longitudinal cohort studies reporting risk estimates of incident dementia or AD in the general population, and for three or more quantitative categories of serum 25(OH)D were included. Pooled hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using fixed-effects/random-effects models.

Results: Seven prospective cohort studies and one retrospective cohort study (total n?=?28,354) involving 1953 cases of dementia and 1607 cases of AD were included. The pooled HRs of dementia and AD were 1.09 (95%CI: 0.95, 1.24) and 1.19 (95%CI: 0.96, 1.41) for vitamin D insufficiency (10–20?ng/ml), and 1.33 (95%CI: 1.08, 1.58) and 1.31 (95%CI: 0.98, 1.65) for deficiency (<10?ng/ml), respectively. The lower risk of dementia was observed at serum 25(OH)D of ～25?ng/ml, whereas the risk of AD decreased continuously along with the increase of serum 25(OH)D up to ～35?ng/ml.

Conclusion: Higher levels of serum 25(OH)D was associated with a lower risk of dementia and AD, but we have no conclusive evidence regarding serum 25(OH)D levels of >35?ng/ml.     

The Risk of Alzheimer's Disease After Acute Appendicitis With or Without Appendectomy

ObjectivePrevious epidemiologic studies have suggested an association between appendectomy and Parkinson's disease. The aim of the current study was to examine the risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other types of dementia following appendicitis or appendectomy for appendicitis.DesignPopulation-based cohort study.Setting and participantsWe used claims data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database. Participants aged ≥45 years with acute appendicitis or who received appendectomy for appendicitis were enrolled and followed up for more than 15 years. Cases and controls underwent 1:1 matching by age, sex, index date, and dementia-related comorbidities.MethodsThe primary outcome was AD, and secondary outcomes included other dementia types. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) were calculated, and a competing risk regression model was created. The E value for causality of evidence was calculated.ResultsPatients developing appendicitis (0.6% vs 0.1%, P = .005) and those receiving appendectomy for appendicitis (0.4% vs 0.1%, P = .003) had higher incidences of AD than the controls during the follow-up period. A Cox regression analysis with adjustment for potential confounders showed that patients with appendicitis [aHR 6.68, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.84-24.48] and those receiving appendectomy for appendicitis (aHR 5.01, 95% CI 1.33-18.85) were more likely to develop AD than the controls. These 2 groups also had higher risks for unspecified dementia and all types of dementia but not for vascular dementia than the controls. The age at dementia diagnosis was 88.51 years in the controls; however, among people who developed dementia following appendicitis, the mean age at diagnosis was 70.18 years, and dementia occurred 5.84 years after appendicitis. The competing risk regression models and the E values support the study findings.Conclusions and implicationsAfter recovery from appendicitis, these patients should be followed up for signs of AD.     

Homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B-12 in mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer disease, and vascular dementia

BACKGROUND: Evidence supports an independent association between plasma total homocysteine concentrations and the risk of vascular disease. Recent epidemiologic studies reappraised the possibility that vascular risk factors might play a role in the pathogenesis not only of vascular dementia (VaD) but also of Alzheimer disease (AD). OBJECTIVE: The objective was to investigate the relations of mild cognitive impairment, AD, and VaD with blood homocysteine, folate, and vitamin B-12. DESIGN: The study population consisted of 314 consecutive subjects, 228 of whom were eligible for analyses. Plasma total homocysteine, serum folate, and serum vitamin B-12 concentrations were measured in 55 nondemented elderly control subjects, 81 mildly cognitively impaired subjects (Clinical Dementia Rating: 0.5), and 92 demented patients prevalently in a mild disease stage and with a clinical diagnosis of AD (n = 74) or VaD (n = 18). RESULTS: Subjects in the lowest folate tertile had significantly higher adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for mild cognitive impairment (OR: 3.1; 95% CI: 1.2, 8.1) and dementia (3.8; 1.3, 11.2). Hyperhomocysteinemia was significantly associated with dementia (adjusted OR: 4.3; 1.3, 14.7) and AD (adjusted OR: 3.7; 1.1, 13.1). In subjects with a Clinical Dementia Rating of 0.5, the mean (+/- SE) Mini-Mental State Examination score was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in the highest homocysteine tertile (24.5 +/- 0.5) than in the lowest tertile (26.6 +/- 0.5). No significant associations were found between minimum medial temporal lobe thickness or leukoaraiosis and any biochemical measure in the dementia and AD groups. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that relative folate deficiency may precede AD and VaD onset. Hyperhomocysteinemia might also be an early risk factor for cognitive decline in the elderly, but its role in dementia development must be addressed in future longitudinal studies.     

Frailty in relation to the risk of Alzheimer’s disease,dementia, and death in older Chinese adults: A seven-year prospective study

Objectives

To explore the relationship of general health decline assessed by frailty and risk of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease (AD).

Design

A seven-year prospective cohort study.

Setting

Secondary analysis of data from the Beijing Longitudinal Study on Aging.

Participants

Urban and rural communitydwelling people aged 60 and older at baseline.

Measurements

Frailty was quantified using the deficit accumulation-based frailty index (FI), constructed from 40 health deficits at baseline. Dementia was diagnosed by DSM-IIIR. AD and vascular dementia (VaD) were diagnosed by NINCDS-ADRDA and NINDS-AIREN. The relationships between frailty and the risk of dementia, AD and death were evaluated through multivariable models.

Results

Of 2788 participants at baseline (1997), 171 (11.1%) reported a history of dementia. In seven years, 351 people developed dementia (13%: 223 AD and 128 other types of dementia) and 813 died (29%). After adjustment for age, sex, education, and baseline cognition, baseline frailty status significantly associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia and death. For each deficit accumulated, the odds ratio of death increased by 5.7%, and the odds ratio of dementia increased by 2.9% (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Frailty was associated with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia over a seven years period. Frailty index might facilitate the identification of older adults at high risk of dementia for the application of the most effective, targeted prevention strategies.

     

Disease Burdens of Alzheimer's Disease,Vascular Dementia,and Mild Cognitive Impairment

ObjectivesUnderstanding disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) based on dementia subtypes and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is essential for optimal resource allocation. This study aimed to investigate disease burdens of various dementias and MCI in a representative South Korean population.DesignRetrospective cohort study.Setting and Participants6481 Korean older adults.MethodsWe estimated the disease-specific DALYs.ResultsDALYs due to MCI and all-cause dementia are estimated to increase from 1295 per 100,000 in 2016 to 9501 per 100,000 in 2065. In 2016, DALYs attributed to Alzheimer's dementia, vascular dementia, and MCI accounted for 33% (423 per 100,000), 20% (316 per 100,000), and 24% (123 per 100,000), respectively, of the total DALYs due to MCI and all-cause dementia. In 2065, DALYs due to Alzheimer's dementia, vascular dementia, and MCI will account for 38% (3654 per 100,000), 17% (1654 per 100,000), and 27% (2585 per 100,000) of total DALYs due to MCI and all-cause dementia, respectively.The years of life lived with disability (YLDs) due to MCI and all-cause dementia are estimated to rise from 479 per 100,000 in 2016 to 2807 per 100,000 in 2065. In 2016, YLDs due to Alzheimer's dementia, vascular dementia, and MCI composed 37% (177 per 100,000), 18% (85 per 100,000), and 15% (70 per 100,000), respectively, of the total YLDs due to MCI and all-cause dementia. In 2065, YLDs due to Alzheimer's dementia, vascular dementia, and MCI will account for 48% (1358 per 100,000), 15% (410 per 100,000), and 10% (290 per 100,000), respectively, of total YLDs due to MCI and all-cause dementia.Conclusions and ImplicationsConsidering the rapidly growing disease burden, resources should be allocated to continuously monitor and manage the MCI and dementia burden. Particular attention to Alzheimer's dementia is required considering its significant contribution to current and future disease burden, especially to YLD.     

上海城乡老年期痴呆患者死亡率和生存预示因素研究

目的研究老年期痴呆的死亡率和影响患者生存的因素。方法在上海地区基线患病率调查的基础上随机选择5个居委会和4个村委会的居民为研究对象。通过简易精神筛查量表,按文化程度划分的分界值进行初筛。分界值以下和正常人的4%进入第二阶段细查。细查项目包括详细病史记录、体格检查和神经心理学检查。6个月后对所有进入细查的对象进行上述内容的复查。根据NINCDSADRDA和NINDAAIREN标准诊断阿尔茨海默病(AD)和血管性痴呆(VaD)。结果老年期痴呆患者的死亡率是6.06/1000人年。与非痴呆组相比,在随访40个月后,痴呆组的生存概率急剧下降57%,两者相比差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。但AD和VaD间的生存率无统计学差异(P>0.05)。由痴呆、AD和VaD导致的死亡相对危险度(RR)值分别为1.63(95%CI:1.42～1.86)、1.71(95%CI:1.44～2.03)和1.45(95%CI:1.16～1.82)。增加患者死亡危险性的因素有年龄(RR=1.0685)、疾病程度(RR=1.5733)、高社会生活功能量表(ADL)值(RR=1.0368)。结论上海地区老年期痴呆的死亡率为6.06/1000人年。AD和VaD患者的生存概率没有明显差别。增加患者死亡危险性的因素有年龄、疾病程度和高ADL值。     

The Association Between Dietary Glycemic Index and Glycemic Load and a Body Shape and Fat Distribution Among Apparently Healthy Iranian Adults

Objective: The role of dietary glycemic index (GI) and glycemic load (GL) in the development of obesity has been debated globally. The relationship with body shape and fat distribution was examined in this cross-sectional association study among apparently healthy Iranian adults.

Methods and materials: A study population of 265 (126 males and 139 females) aged 18–55 years participated in this cross-sectional study from the communities of Tehran based on cluster sampling. GI and GL were assessed by the 147-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) completed by a trained dietitian. Weight, height, waist circumference (WC), and hip circumference of the participants were measured, and body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and A Body Shape Index (ABSI) were further calculated. Fat mass and fat-free mass were also measured using a body composition analyzer, and fat mass index (FMI) and fat-free mass index (FFMI) were then calculated. Multivariate regression models were fitted to assess the association between GI/GL and fat distribution measures such as FMI, FFMI, WC, BMI, WHR, and ABSI, considering potential confounding factors such as sex, age, BMI, and physical activity.

Results: There was a statistically significant inverse association between GL and WC, BMI, and ABSI found in the adjusted model. GL was inversely associated with WC for both the adjusted model (p-trend = 0.027) and the crude model. Also, an inverse association was seen between GL and BMI (p-trend = 0.019) in the adjusted model but a marginal association in the crude model. GL was also inversely associated with ABSI (p-trend = 0.089) in the highest tertile.

Conclusion: Dietary GL but not GI is inversely associated with fat distribution measures such as WC, BMI, and ABSI in the study population. This result may suggest a beneficial role of higher-GL diets in the prevention of obesity.     

Vaccines do not cause atopic dermatitis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundPrevious studies found conflicting results about the association of vaccinations and likelihood of atopic dermatitis (AD).ObjectivesTo determine whether vaccinations increase the likelihood of AD.MethodsA systematic review was performed of all published studies in MEDLINE, EMBASE, LILACS, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. At least 2 reviewers conducted title/abstract, full-text review, and data extraction. Quality of evidence was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS).ResultsForty-four studies met inclusion criteria; 37 had sufficient data for meta-analysis. There were no associations any vaccine regimen (random-effects logistic regression: odds ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.961 [0.822–1.124]; n = 21 studies) BCG (0.927 [0.701–1.226]; n = 8), pertussis (0.790 [0.416–1.499]; n = 4), single (1.031 [0.920–1.155]; n = 17) or multiple vaccines (0.902 [0.608–1.338]; n = 7) with likelihood of AD. This remained true in studies with high-quality (NOS ≥ 7) (OR [95% CI]: 0.941 [0.793–1.117]; n = 13 studies) or low-quality (NOS < 7) (OR [95% CI]: 1.058 [0.669–1.674]; n = 8 studies).LimitationsNo randomized controlled trials.ConclusionsNo vaccine regimen was consistently associated with developing AD.     

Antedependence models for nonstationary categorical longitudinal data with ignorable missingness: likelihood‐based inference

Time index‐ordered random variables are said to be antedependent (AD) of order (p₁,p₂, … ,p_n) if the kth variable, conditioned on the p_k immediately preceding variables, is independent of all further preceding variables. Inferential methods associated with AD models are well developed for continuous (primarily normal) longitudinal data, but not for categorical longitudinal data. In this article, we develop likelihood‐based inferential procedures for unstructured AD models for categorical longitudinal data. Specifically, we derive maximum likelihood estimators (MLEs) of model parameters; penalized likelihood criteria and likelihood ratio tests for determining the order of antedependence; and likelihood ratio tests for homogeneity across groups, time invariance of transition probabilities, and strict stationarity. We give closed‐form expressions for MLEs and test statistics, which allow for the possibility of empty cells and monotone missing data, for all cases save strict stationarity. For data with an arbitrary missingness pattern, we derive an efficient restricted expectation–maximization algorithm for obtaining MLEs. We evaluate the performance of the tests by simulation. We apply the methods to longitudinal studies of toenail infection severity (measured on a binary scale) and Alzheimer's disease severity (measured on an ordinal scale). The analysis of the toenail infection severity data reveals interesting nonstationary behavior of the transition probabilities and indicates that an unstructured first‐order AD model is superior to stationary and other structured first‐order AD models that have previously been fit to these data. The analysis of the Alzheimer's severity data indicates that the antedependence is second order with time‐invariant transition probabilities, suggesting the use of a second‐order autoregressive cumulative logit model. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Vascular dementia: clinical, neuroradiologic and neuropathologic aspects

Vascular dementia (VaD) is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's disease (AD), and some studies suggest that the frequency increases exponentially over the age of 65 years. This review brings attention to the current challenges in the clinical and pathologic diagnoses of vascular dementia, provides an overview of diagnostic schemes in the clinical setting, and discusses the post-mortem pathology associated with VaD. While memory impairment is essential for diagnosis of AD, the clinical syndrome in VaD is often characterized by executive dysfunction rather than memory impairment. Nevertheless, the cognitive symptoms of VaD are so pleomorphic that no single cognitive syndrome captures the range of symptomology. Additionally, there are no widely accepted neuropathologic criteria for VaD. Imaging studies provide information about the distribution and volume of lesions and provide supportive information that differentiates VaD from AD, but are complicated by the concept of 'silent infarcts'. The heterogeneity of cerebrovascular disease and the wide range of pathologic lesions suggest that classification of VaD should include specific subtypes. The main challenge in clinicopathologic correlative studies is the lack of a gold standard for pathologic diagnosis of VaD that includes thresholds for number, size and location of infarcts and ischemic injury to white matter and strategic sites such as the thalamus and hippocampus. VaD is an entity that provides many challenges to the clinician, neuroradiologist and neuropathologist in part because evidence-based studies often lack clear definitions of the disease.     

Psychotropic Drugs in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease: A Longitudinal Study by the Registry of Dementias of Girona (ReDeGi) in Catalonia,Spain

ObjectivesPsychotropic drugs are usually prescribed to deal with behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, especially when nonpharmacologic approaches are not available or have limited efficacy. Poor outcomes and serious adverse events of the drugs used must be addressed, and risk-benefit ratios need to be considered. The aim of this longitudinal study was to describe the evolution of dispensation of psychotropic drugs in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to identify the associated demographic and clinical variables.MethodsLongitudinal study using 698 cases with AD included in the Registry of Dementias of Girona in 2007 and 2008 and followed up during 3 years. Drugs were categorized according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical classification. Binary logistic regression analyses were used to detect the variables associated with the use of antipsychotics, selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), anxiolytics, and hypnotics.ResultsOf the patients, 51.2% consumed antipsychotics at least once during the three years of the study, whereas 73.3% and 58.2% consumed SSRIs and anxiolytics, respectively; 32.8% used hypnotics. Antipsychotic use was associated with a diagnosis of AD with delusions) [odds ratio (OR) = 5.7] and with increased behavior disorders (OR = 1.2). Patients with AD with depressed mood were more likely to be treated with SSRIs (OR = 3.1), while being a woman was associated with increased dispensation of anxiolytics (OR = 1.9) and SSRIs (OR = 2.2).ConclusionsConsumption of psychotropic drugs by the patients with AD registered in the Registry of Dementias of Girona is very high. Despite all the described adverse effects and recommendations of caution in their use, antipsychotics still are extensively used.