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Liver Health and Dementia in an Italian Older Population: Findings From the Salus in Apulia Study

Authors :
Luisa Lampignano
Rossella Donghia
Chiara Griseta
Gianvito Lagravinese
Sabrina Sciarra
Roberta Zupo
Fabio Castellana
Ilaria Bortone
Vito Guerra
Sarah Tirelli
Sara De Nucci
Rossella Tatoli
Madia Lozupone
Giancarlo Sborgia
Antonio Leo
Giovanni De Pergola
Gianluigi Giannelli
Francesco Panza
Rodolfo Sardone
Source :
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience, Vol 13 (2021)
Publication Year :
2021
Publisher :
Frontiers Media S.A., 2021.

Abstract

Objectives: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) currently affects a quarter of the global population. Systemic inflammation, metabolic syndrome, and coronary artery disease, all conditions associated with NAFLD, have also been related to cognitive dysfunction in older age. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between NAFLD risk and a dementia diagnosis in a large population-based sample aged > 65 years.Methods: We selected 1,542 participants (723 men) from the Salus in Apulia Study. To assess the risk of fat distribution in the liver, we used the Fatty Liver Index (FLI). Dementia was diagnosed according to the American Psychiatric Association criteria (DSM-5).Results: The overall prevalence of dementia was 8.5% [95% confidence interval (CI): 7–10%]. Subjects with dementia were older [effect size (ES): −0.89, 95% CI: −1.07 to −0.70], had a lower level of education (ES:0.88, 95% CI:0.69–1.06), higher levels of gamma-glutamyl transferase (ES: −0.21, 95% CI: −0.39 to −0.03), lower levels of total cholesterol (ES: −0.24, 95% CI: −0.42 to −0.06) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (ES: −0.20, 95% CI: −0.38 to 0.02), and a higher FLI (ES: −0.22, 95% CI: −0.39 to −0.04). In the logistic regression model adjusted for age, sex, education, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, alcohol consumption, smoking habits, stroke, cholesterol, and Apo-E, a dementia diagnosis was positively associated with FLI > 60 [odds ratio (OR):1.81; standard error (SE): 0.53; 95% CI: 1.02–3.21].Conclusion: Our findings suggested that an increased NAFLD risk may be associated to dementia and cognitive decline in older age. Considering the high NAFLD prevalence, the possible adverse disease effects on cognitive performance pose a health problem with significant social and economic implications.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
16634365
Volume :
13
Database :
Directory of Open Access Journals
Journal :
Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
edsdoj.193be3192d334ce5958d049567d77444
Document Type :
article
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnagi.2021.748888