Race, Genetic Admixture, and Cognitive Performance in the Cuban Population.

BACKGROUND: Population aging will lead to a dramatic increase in dementia prevalence, which will disproportionally affect racial minorities. The presence of racial differences in dementia prevalence has been widely reported in United States, but there are no relevant studies on this topic in low- and middle-income countries. METHODS: In a cross-sectional survey, 2944 older Cubans were recruited at a community-based level aimed to identify the effects of self-identified race and genetic admixture on cognitive performance. Dementia diagnosis was established using 10/66 Dementia and DSM-IV criteria. APOE-ε4 genotype was determined in 2511 (85%) and genetic admixture was completed for all dementia cases and in a randomly selected sample of cognitive healthy participants (218 dementia cases and 367 participants without dementia). RESULTS: The overall prevalence of dementia was 8.7%, without large or statistically significant differences on dementia prevalence (p = .12) by self-identified race. Mean cognitive scores were similar across racial groups (p = .46). After controlling for age, sex, and education, greater proportion of African ancestry was not associated with cognitive performance (p = .17). CONCLUSIONS: We found no evidence of an independent effect of self-identified race and/or population ancestry on dementia prevalence or cognitive performance. This suggests that observed differences in dementia prevalence among diverse populations may be driven primarily by social determinants of health.

Risk Factors for Incident Dementia Among Older Cubans.

Introduction: Little is known about risk factors of dementia in Latin American countries. We aimed to identify socio-demographic, health and lifestyle risk factors of incident dementia in Cuban older adults. Methods: Data were from 1,846 participants in the Cuban cohort of the 10/66 Dementia Research Group. Participants completed questionnaires, health examinations, and cognitive tests at baseline (2003-2006) and 4.5 years later (2007-2010). Associations between risk factors (baseline) and incident dementia (follow-up) were examined using logistic regression. Results: Just over 9% of participants developed dementia. Overall, older age and low physical activity were associated with incident dementia. In those 65-74 years of age, depression, stroke and low physical activity were associated with incident dementia. In those ≥75 years of age, low physical activity, never eating fish, and smoking were associated with incident dementia. Conclusions: Modifiable lifestyle factors play an important role in developing dementia in Cuban older adults. This knowledge opens up opportunities for preventive strategies.

Factores de riesgo de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 en adolescentes / Risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus in adolescentes

RESUMEN Fundamento: La creciente prevalencia de diabetes mellitus tipo 2 (DM2) desde las edades pediátricas, ha convertido a la morbimortalidad relacionada con ella en un problema importante de salud pública. La detección precoz de factores de riesgo de DM2 en adolescentes, permitiría realizar acciones preventivas con enfoque de riesgo, que conducirían a disminuir la incidencia de esta entidad, siendo un pilar fundamental de la atención primaria. Objetivo: Identificar la presencia de factores de riesgo de DM2 en adolescentes. Método: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo transversal en un área de salud (Policlínico "Raúl Gómez García") con una muestra de 96 adolescentes. Se recogieron variables como edad, sexo, antecedentes de diabetes gestacional, bajo peso al nacer, tiempo de lactancia materna, historia familiar de DM2, consumo de frutas/vegetales, actividades físicas y resultantes del examen físico. Resultados: El 62,50% de los adolescentes pertenecía al sexo femenino y la adolescencia temprana. El inadecuado consumo de frutas y vegetales con 81,25% fue el factor de riesgo más común, seguido del sedentarismo con un 45,83%. Todos los adolescentes poseían al menos un factor de riesgo, y el 72,92% poseía 3 o más con predominio en el sexo femenino (p=0,022) Conclusiones: Existe una alta frecuencia de factores de riesgo para el desarrollo de DM2 en los adolescentes, con predominio de factores modificables. La mayoría de los adolescentes poseían un riesgo metabólico incrementado al presentar 3 o más factores de riesgo, en especial las féminas.

ABSTRACT Foundation: The increasing prevalence of diabetes mellitus type 2 (DM2) from the pediatric ages, has made its morbidity and mortality a major public health problem. Early detection of DM2 risk factors in adolescents, would allow preventive actions with a risk approach, which would lead to decrease the incidence of this condition, being a fundamental pillar of primary care . Objective: To identify the presence of DM2 risk factors in adolescents. Method: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in a health area ("Raúl Gómez García" Polyclinic) with a sample of 96 adolescents. Variables such as age, sex, history of gestational diabetes, low birth weight, breastfeeding time, family history of DM2, fruit / vegetable intake, physical activity and physical examination results were collected. Results: The 62.50% of the adolescents belonged to the feminine sex and the early adolescence. The inadequate consumption of fruits and vegetables with 81.25% was the most common risk factor, followed by a sedentary lifestyle with 45.83%. All adolescents had at least one risk factor, and 72.92% had 3 or more with a predominance in females (p = 0.022). Conclusion: There is a high frequency of risk factors for developing of DM2 in adolescents, with a predominance of modifiable factors. Most adolescents had an increased metabolic risk when presenting 3 or more risk factors, especially females.