Potential for reducing dementia risk: association of the CAIDE score with additional lifestyle components from the LIBRA score in a population at high risk of dementia.

OBJECTIVES: Various dementia risk scores exist that assess different factors. We investigated the association between the Cardiovascular Risk Factors, Aging, and Incidence of Dementia (CAIDE) score and modifiable risk factors in the Lifestyle for Brain Health (LIBRA) score in a German population at high risk of Alzheimer's disease. METHOD: Baseline data of 807 participants of AgeWell.de (mean age: 68.8 years (SD = 4.9)) were analysed. Stepwise multivariable regression was used to examine the association between the CAIDE score and additional risk factors of the LIBRA score. Additionally, we examined the association between dementia risk models and cognitive performance, as measured by the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. RESULTS: High cognitive activity (ß = -0.016, p < 0.001) and high fruit and vegetable intake (ß = -0.032, p < 0.001) correlated with lower CAIDE scores, while diabetes was associated with higher CAIDE scores (ß = 0.191; p = 0.032). Although all were classified as high risk on CAIDE, 31.5% scored ≤0 points on LIBRA, indicating a lower risk of dementia. Higher CAIDE and LIBRA scores were associated with lower cognitive performance. CONCLUSION: Regular cognitive activities and increased fruit and vegetable intake were associated with lower CAIDE scores. Different participants are classified as being at-risk based on the dementia risk score used.

Beneficial and Impeding Factors for the Implementation of Health-Promoting Lifestyle Interventions-A Gender-Specific Focus Group Study.

(1) Background: The prevalence of dementia increases and so does the number of interventions that address modifiable risk factors for dementia. Recent evidence suggests that there are gender differences in the prevalence of those lifestyle factors as well as in the effectiveness of interventions. This study aims to identify differences in factors that benefit or hinder the effectiveness of interventions since a target group's perspective gets more relevant. (2) Methods: Two focus groups, a female (n = 11) and a male (n = 8) group, were interviewed, audio recorded and transcribed. Qualitative analyses were performed and main- and subcategories were identified. (3) Results: Main differences were observed including aspects of lifestyle changes (e.g., respective diet and importance of an active lifestyle) and gender-typical behavior and perception by relevant healthcare actors. (4) Conclusions: Identified differences might help to address and raise the efficiency of lifestyle interventions. Further, the importance of social aspects and retirement as an auspicious moment to start interventions were identified as relevant by study participants.