Risk and Resiliency for Dementia: Comparison of Male and Female Veterans
Abstract
Few studies have critically investigated the unique set of military and health related risk factors facing older veterans today. Even fewer studies have explored the risk factors that may affect older female veterans, who may be at higher risk of dementia compared to the general population and male veterans. We were one the first research groups to focus on this gap by creating a dataset that included all older female veterans in the Veterans Health Administration and study contributors of risk and resiliency in this population. The goal of this project is to identify key factors associated with risk and resiliency for cognitive impairment and dementia in older veterans. In Year 4, we specifically leveraged our unique dataset toward progress in AIMS 2-3: For AIM 2, we had a paper published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine on military sexual trauma (MST) and associated conditions. Of 70,864 women veterans age 55, 13 screened positive for MST. MST was associated with PTSD, depression, suicidal ideation, sleep apnea, and pain. For AIM 3, we submitted a paper for publication on alcohol use disorder (AUD) and dementia risk in all female veterans age 55 with AUD and an age-matched sample (n=2207 for both). Over follow up, 4 of women with AUD developed dementia compared to 1 without AUD. Women with AUD had a 300 increase in risk of developing dementia compared to women without AUD. Results did not change after removing women with co-occurring substance use disorders or after removing current smokers. For AIM 3, we also presented a project in progress on race and sex differences in risk of developing dementia in older veterans at the 2020 Alzheimer's Association International Alzheimer's Association International Conference. Preliminary results showed that, as compared to white veterans, Hispanic veterans were >2x the risk of developing dementia, and risk also increased for Black veterans. Risk for Asian veterans was increased but modest.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1110042
Entities
People
- Kristine Yaffe
Organizations
- Northern California Institute for Research and Education