Sex differences in dementia and response to a lifestyle intervention: Evidence from Nordic population‐based studies and a prevention trial

• Published in: Alzheimer's & dementia Vol. 17; no. 7; pp. 1166 - 1178
• Main Authors: Sindi, Shireen, Kåreholt, Ingemar, Ngandu, Tiia, Rosenberg, Anna, Kulmala, Jenni, Johansson, Lena, Wetterberg, Hanna, Skoog, Johan, Sjöberg, Linnea, Wang, Hui‐Xin, Fratiglioni, Laura, Skoog, Ingmar, Kivipelto, Miia
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States John Wiley and Sons Inc 01.07.2021
• Subjects: Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; cohort study; dementia; Dementia - prevention & control; Female; Health Sciences; Humans; Hälsovetenskaper; Life Style; lifestyle intervention; Male; Medicin och hälsovetenskap; Risk Factors; Scandinavian and Nordic Countries; sex differences; Sex Factors; Scandinavian and Nordic Countries; dementia; risk factors; cohort study; lifestyle intervention; sex differences
• ISSN: 1552-5260; 1552-5279; 1552-5279
• DOI: 10.1002/alz.12279

Introduction Evidence on sex differences in the risk for dementia has been mixed. The goal was to assess sex differences in the development of dementia, and in the effects of a lifestyle intervention. Methods Two strategies were adopted, one using combined data from three large Nordic population‐based cohort studies (n = 2289), adopting dementia as outcome, and 2‐year multidomain lifestyle intervention (n = 1260), adopting cognitive change as outcome. Results There was higher risk for dementia after age 80 years in women. The positive effects of the lifestyle intervention on cognition did not significantly differ between men and women. Sex‐specific analyses suggested that different vascular, lifestyle, and psychosocial risk factors are important for women and men in mid‐ and late‐life. Conclusion Women had higher risk for dementia among the oldest individuals. Lifestyle interventions may be effectively implemented among older men and women.