Table 2. Comparison of risk factors for dementia, AD, and VaD, in developed and developing world regions.
| Developed regions (North America, Europe, Japan) | Asia (China, Guam, India, South Korea, Taiwan*) | Africa (Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa) | Latin America (Argentina, Brazil, Venezuela) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Increasing age | Positive | Positive | Positive | Positive |
| Female sex | Positive | Positive | Unclear | Unclear |
| Family history | Positive | Positive | .. | Positive |
| Head injury | Positive | .. | .. | Positive |
| Genes (APOE ε4 allele) | Positive | Positive | No risk | Unclear |
| Illiteracy or lack of education | Positive | Positive | Positive | Positive |
| MCI or cognitive impairment without dementia | Positive | Positive | .. | Positive |
| Urban living | Unclear | Unclear | Negative | Positive |
| Low socioeconomic status or poverty | Unclear | Positive | .. | Positive |
| Occupation as housewife | Negative | Positive | Unclear | Positive |
| Depressive illness | Positive | Positive | Positive | Positive |
| Vascular disease† | Positive | Positive | Positive | Unclear |
| Low fibre diet | Unclear | Positive | Positive | .. |
| Smoking | Positive | Positive | .. | Unclear |
*
In a 3-year incidence study, lower education, history of consistent unemployment, limited physical activity, and stroke history were identified as risk factors for dementia.84
†
Hypertension and diabetes were the most common risk factors associated with cases of AD and VaD. Studies in South Koreans and Jamaican Caribbeans established that smaller head circumference and shorter leg length were risk factors for dementia.118,119 Summary compiled from previously published studies.15,18,19,29–31,33–35,37–39,41,42,45–52,54,56,62,65,73,76,101,109,113,115,120–126 MCI=Mild cognitive impairment. ..=not determined.