Posters
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 1)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 2)
Faculty
Discipline/Specialty (Author 2)
Population Health and Biostatistics
Academic Level (Author 3)
Faculty
Discipline/Specialty (Author 3)
Neuroscience
Presentation Type
Poster
Discipline Track
Clinical Science
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: As the prevalence of dementia increases globally, the demand to develop and understand what early preventive measures can be taken becomes more relevant. Vascular comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension are among the most common contributing risk factors for cognitive impairment. Type 2 diabetes is heavily associated with cognitive impairment and impaired synaptic plasticity due to decreased insulin signaling in the brain. Midlife obesity has been associated with Alzheimer's disease development due to a link between the elevated levels of adipose tissue with lower cortical thickness. Dementia is a multifactorial disease and in order to create an effective preventive plan for patients, multiple modifiable risk factors need to be addressed.
Methods: A retrospective chart review, approved by UTRGV IRB, was conducted in order to investigate the association between different risk factors with different types of dementia. Descriptive statistics, including mean (SD) and frequency (proportions), were employed to examine the distributions of risk factors and kinds of dementia. The associations among dementia types were examined by the utilization of chi-square tests with modified Pearson distances and ANOVA regression models while controlling for confounding variables.
Results: A total of 200 patients above 55 years (mean age: 79.3 ± 10.3 years) were enrolled, with 57% being female. The average BMI was 26.2 (SD 6.1) kg/m². Seventeen percent of the sample had type 2 diabetes, whereas seventy-nine percent were diagnosed with hypertension. Alzheimer's disease was the most prevalent among those with type 2 diabetes (33%), although Lewy body dementia was more common in non-diabetic people (23%). The presence of type 2 diabetes complications was associated with AD. Hypertension had no significant association with Alzheimer's disease when compared to unspecified dementia, resulting in an odds ratio of 0.78 (95% CI 0.33, 1.8). This remained statistically non-significant after correction [OR 1.4 (95% CI 0.38, 4.9)]. Multinomial regression reinforced the correlation between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, whereas individuals without diabetes exhibited an increased likelihood of Lewy body dementia.
Conclusion: By understanding the risk factors associated with different dementias, it can help health care providers customize preventive measures for patients at risk of the disease development of dementia.
Recommended Citation
Gonzalez Tovar, Maria Camila; Lopez Alvarenga, Juan Carlos; and Baker, Kelsey, "Understanding the Correlation Between Risk Factors for Dementia in the Rio Grande Valley" (2025). Research Symposium. 97.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/somrs/2025/posters/97
Included in
Understanding the Correlation Between Risk Factors for Dementia in the Rio Grande Valley
Background: As the prevalence of dementia increases globally, the demand to develop and understand what early preventive measures can be taken becomes more relevant. Vascular comorbidities such as diabetes and hypertension are among the most common contributing risk factors for cognitive impairment. Type 2 diabetes is heavily associated with cognitive impairment and impaired synaptic plasticity due to decreased insulin signaling in the brain. Midlife obesity has been associated with Alzheimer's disease development due to a link between the elevated levels of adipose tissue with lower cortical thickness. Dementia is a multifactorial disease and in order to create an effective preventive plan for patients, multiple modifiable risk factors need to be addressed.
Methods: A retrospective chart review, approved by UTRGV IRB, was conducted in order to investigate the association between different risk factors with different types of dementia. Descriptive statistics, including mean (SD) and frequency (proportions), were employed to examine the distributions of risk factors and kinds of dementia. The associations among dementia types were examined by the utilization of chi-square tests with modified Pearson distances and ANOVA regression models while controlling for confounding variables.
Results: A total of 200 patients above 55 years (mean age: 79.3 ± 10.3 years) were enrolled, with 57% being female. The average BMI was 26.2 (SD 6.1) kg/m². Seventeen percent of the sample had type 2 diabetes, whereas seventy-nine percent were diagnosed with hypertension. Alzheimer's disease was the most prevalent among those with type 2 diabetes (33%), although Lewy body dementia was more common in non-diabetic people (23%). The presence of type 2 diabetes complications was associated with AD. Hypertension had no significant association with Alzheimer's disease when compared to unspecified dementia, resulting in an odds ratio of 0.78 (95% CI 0.33, 1.8). This remained statistically non-significant after correction [OR 1.4 (95% CI 0.38, 4.9)]. Multinomial regression reinforced the correlation between type 2 diabetes and Alzheimer's disease, whereas individuals without diabetes exhibited an increased likelihood of Lewy body dementia.
Conclusion: By understanding the risk factors associated with different dementias, it can help health care providers customize preventive measures for patients at risk of the disease development of dementia.
