Cardiometabolic Conditions and All-Cause Dementia among American Indian and Alaska Native Peoples

Background Diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) are modifiable lifestyle-related cardiometabolic conditions associated with dementia. Yet, little is known regarding these associations among American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) peoples. Thus, we examined the association of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease (CVD) with all-cause dementia among AI/ANs aged ≥ 65 years. Methods This was a cross-sectional analysis of the Indian Health Service Improving Health Care Delivery Data Project. Our study population was a 1:1 matched sample of 4,074 AI/ANs aged ≥ 65 years and Indian Health Service active users during fiscal year 2013. We employed international Classification of Diseases 9th Revision Clinical Modification (ICD-9) diagnostic codes for all-cause dementia, hypertension, and CVD. Diabetes was measured with a validated algorithm to identify adults with diabetes that uses diagnoses, laboratory test results, and medication criteria. Results Multivariable analyses revealed that diabetes and CVD were associated with increased odds of all-cause dementia and hypertension was not. CVD types associated with all-cause dementia differed with cerebrovascular disease having the strongest association. Analyses stratified by gender revealed that diabetes and CVD were associated with increased odds of all-cause dementia for women and only CVD was associated with all-cause dementia for men. Conclusions Training and support of primary care clinicians, addressing cultural considerations, and ensuring inclusion of AI/ANs in research are steps that could help meet AI/AN peoples’ needs. Our findings underscore to the importance of improved management and control of diabetes and CVD, which may lead to the prevention of dementia among older AI/ANs.