Abstract
Introduction:
Dementia is one of the leading contributors of disability in the UK. Evidence of a downward trend in age-adjusted incidence of Dementia has highlighted the potential impact of modifiable risk-factors in reducing the disease burden of Dementia. This research will determine how risk-factors of Dementia have varied over time, between the different countries of the UK, the different regions of England and by sex in the UK.
Methods:
This is a descriptive time-series of risk factors of Dementia within the United Kingdom (UK) between 1990 and 2019. Data was extracted from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Results tool at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation Data source for 7 modifiable risk-factors. These risk factors were air pollution, alcohol use, high body mass index (BMI), high fasting plasma glucose, high systolic blood pressure (SBP), low physical activity and smoking. The 13 geographical locations explored were England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales, East Midlands, East of England, Greater London, North East England, North West England, South East England, South West England, West Midlands, Yorkshire and Humber.
Results:
The highest mean risk exposure for Dementia was High systolic blood pressure (SBP) between 1990-2019. However, data indicate that high BMI and fasting glucose have recently overtaken high SBP in risk factor rank. Moreover, the proportion of risk attributed to BMI and fasting plasma glucose for Dementia has steadily increased whilst smoking has had little change. No substantial differences were noted in trends between sex and between the 9 different regions of England. Therefore, only country level data was presented.
Conclusion:
This data suggests that further development of strategies for weight management and blood sugar management are required to aid in the prevention of Dementia.