Factors influencing alzheimer's disease: A case-control study

Abstract

Background: As there are currently no curative treatments for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other forms of dementia, focusing on risk factor reduction and primary prevention is essential.Objectives: This study aimed to explore the factors that influence the occurrence of AD in comparison to other dementias.Methods: We conducted a case-control study involving caregivers of Alzheimer's patients (n=60) and a control group of caregivers for individuals with other dementias (n=60). Participants were recruited from a hospital in Yogyakarta between January 2018 and December 31, 2023. An online questionnaire containing 62 questions was administered via Zoho Forms and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25.0. We employed chi-square tests, and logistic regression to identify factors associated with the incidence of AD relative to other dementias.Results: Our findings indicated that an adequate dietary pattern (P=0.02; AOR=3.665; 95% CI=1.219-11.11) and age of 60 years or older (P=0.06; AOR=2.34; 95% CI=0.95-5.73) are significant risk factors for AD. Conversely, adequate sleep quality (P=0.03; AOR=0.24; 95% CI=0.07-0.87) and a history of stroke (P=0.00; AOR=0.07; 95% CI=0.02-0.26) were identified as protective factors against developing AD compared to other dementias. A poor diet can lead to systemic inflammation and oxidative stress, which may trigger neuroinflammation, including stroke. Additionally, increased tau load associated with being 60 years or older, along with poor sleep quality, can contribute to neuronal dysfunction and ultimately result in brain atrophy.Conclusion: This study identifies moderate dietary habits and age over 60 as risk factors for AD, while adequate sleep quality and a history of stroke serve as protective factors. The insights gained from this research may serve as foundational data for further studies and provide guidelines for preventing the onset of AD.