Was weiß die Bevölkerung über Risiko- und Schutzfaktoren für Demenz? Eine internationale Übersicht zum aktuellen Kenntnisstand in verschiedenen Ländern

Translated title of the contribution: What does the population know about risk and protective factors for dementia? An international review of the current state of knowledge in various countries

Andrea Zuelke*, Melanie Luppa, Sebastian Kohler, Steffi G. Riedel-Heller

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal(Systematic) Review article peer-review

Abstract

Background: The scientific state of knowledge on modifiable risk factors for dementia has greatly improved in recent years. The established risk and protective factors include physical and social inactivity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, excessive alcohol consumption and smoking; however, it is assumed that this knowledge is so far insufficiently disseminated among the general population, indicating untapped potential for primary prevention of dementia.Objective: To assess the state of knowledge on established risk and protective factors for dementia in the general population.Material and methods: Based on a systematic literature search in the PubMed database, international studies that investigated the knowledge on modifiable risk and/or protective factors for dementia in samples from the general population were identified.Results and conclusion: A total of 21 publications were included in the review. The majority of publications (n = 17) collated risk and protective factors using closed questions, while n = 4 studies used open questions. Lifestyle factors, e.g. cognitive, social and physical activity, were most frequently named as protective against dementia. Furthermore, many participants recognized depression as a risk factor for dementia. Knowledge of cardiovascular risk constellations for dementia, such as hypertension, hypercholesterolemia or diabetes mellitus were much less known among the participants. The results indicate that there is a need for a targeted clarification of the role of pre-existing cardiovascular diseases as risk factors for dementia. Studies assessing the state of knowledge on social and environmental risk and protective factors for dementia are currently scarce.
Translated title of the contributionWhat does the population know about risk and protective factors for dementia? An international review of the current state of knowledge in various countries
Original languageGerman
Pages (from-to)384-391
Number of pages8
JournalDer Nervenarzt
Volume94
Issue number5
Early online date1 Apr 2023
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - May 2023

Keywords

  • Alzheimer disease
  • Primary prevention
  • Cardiovascular risk factors
  • Life style
  • Surveys and questionnaires
  • ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE
  • PREVENTION
  • ATTITUDES
  • BELIEFS

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