The lipid accumulation product (LAP) index, a sex-specific indicator of abdominal lipid accumulation, has emerged as a predictor for cardiometabolic disease. However, its association with dementia has been rarely explored in population-based studies.
Objective
We sought to investigate the associations of LAP index with all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD) as well as with serum inflammatory cytokines among rural-dwelling older adults in China.
Methods
This cross-sectional study included 5670 participants (age ≥ 60 years), with data available in 1851 individuals on serum inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1). Dementia and subtypes were diagnosed following the international criteria. The LAP index was calculated as [waist circumference (cm)-65] × triglycerides (mmol/L) for men and [waist circumference (cm)-58] × triglycerides (mmol/L) for women. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic and linear regression models.
Results
Of the 5670 participants, dementia was diagnosed in 305 persons (194 with AD and 100 with VaD). As a continuous variable, the LAP index was associated with multivariable-adjusted odds ratios of 1.28 (95% confidence interval: 1.01–1.61) for all-cause dementia, 1.40 (1.05–1.86) for AD, and 1.12 (0.75–1.66) for VaD. As a categorical variable, the highest (versus lowest) quintile of LAP index was associated with multivariable-adjusted odds ratios of 1.91 (1.17–3.12) for dementia, 2.18 (1.19–3.99) for AD, and 1.88 (0.78–4.53) for VaD. A higher LAP index was significantly correlated with serum inflammatory cytokines (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
High LAP index is linked with dementia and AD in older adults and chronic systemic inflammation might represent a plausible biological pathway.
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