Association between lipid levels and dementia risk among older Ghanaian adults

Abstract

Background

Dementia is an escalating global public health concern, with Alzheimer's disease accounting for the largest proportion of cases. However, evidence on its association with lipid abnormalities remains limited in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in sub–Saharan Africa

Objective

To examine the association between lipid profile parameters and dementia risk among older adults in Ghana.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using records from 16 individuals diagnosed with dementia and 28 age-matched controls. Lipid levels including total cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein, non-HDL cholesterol, and coronary risk index, were analyzed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression.

Results

Dementia cases had higher median levels of total cholesterol (5.29 versus 4.69 mmol/L), triglycerides (1.20 versus 0.86 mmol/L), low-density lipoprotein (3.38 versus 2.75 mmol/L), non-HDL cholesterol (3.89 versus 3.23 mmol/L), and coronary risk index (5.18 versus 3.15) compared to controls. Elevated coronary risk was strongly associated with dementia (aOR = 13.87, p = 0.010), indicating a markedly increased likelihood of cognitive impairment among individuals with higher cardiovascular risk. However, none of the individual lipid levels remained significant after adjustment for hypertension and the potential confounding effects of each lipid parameter on the others.

Conclusions

Overall cardiovascular risk, rather than isolated lipid markers, appears more relevant in dementia risk assessment among older Ghanaian adults. Early evaluation and management of coronary risk may play a critical role in dementia prevention.