[Diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for dementia in the Mexican elder population].

INTRODUCTION

Diabetes and dementia are growing problems throughout the world and especially in developing countries.

AIM

To determine the risk of developing dementia in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Diabetic elders free of dementia from the Mexican Health and Aging study, a prospective community-based cohort research were followed after two years. Socio-demographic factors, comorbid conditions and type of diabetes treatment were analyzed in subjects who become demented.

RESULTS

At baseline, 749 participants (13.8%) had diabetes mellitus. During the follow-up period (mean: 2.02 years; range: 1-3 years), 306 of 749 persons with diabetes mellitus developed dementia, yielding a relative risk (RR) of 2.08 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI = 1.59-2.73). The effect was strongest in persons aged 80 years or older with a RR of 2.44 (95% CI = 1.46-4.08), men had a greater relative risk than women (RR = 2.25; 95% CI = 1.46-3.49 vs. RR = 1.98; 95% CI = 1.08-1.11) and subjects with low education (< 7 years of schooling) had a significant RR while those with higher education didn't. Individuals treated with insulin where at highest risk of dementia (RR = 2.83; 95% CI = 1.58-5.06). Hypertension (RR = 2.75; 95% CI = 1.86-4.06) and depression (RR = 3.78; 95% CI = 2.37-6.04) where the two comorbidities which increased the risk of dementia.

CONCLUSIONS

Subjects with diabetes mellitus have an increased risk of developing dementia. Sociodemographic factors and other co-morbidities highly prevalent in the Mexican population contribute to the diabetes-dementia association.