Neurology

Patients with metabolic syndrome face higher young-onset dementia risk

April 28, 2025

Study details: The nationwide population-based cohort study using data from the Korean National Insurance Service included 1,979,509 individuals aged 40-60 who underwent health check-ups in 2009. Participants were followed until December 31, 2020, or age 65. Metabolic syndrome (MetS) was defined by waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting glucose, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol levels. Covariates included age, sex, income, smoking, alcohol consumption, and comorbidities. The primary outcome was incident all-cause young-onset dementia (YOD), with secondary outcomes of young-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD).

Results: Over an average follow-up of 7.75 years, 8,921 individuals (0.45%) developed YOD. MetS was associated with a 24% higher risk of all-cause YOD (adjusted hazard ratio [HR] 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.19-1.30), a 12.4% increased risk of AD (HR 1.12, 95% CI 1.03-1.22), and a 20.9% increased risk of VaD (HR 1.21, 95% CI 1.08-1.35). Significant interactions were noted with younger age, female sex, drinking status, obesity, and depression.

Clinical impact: Interventions targeting MetS may help mitigate YOD risk. Prioritize managing MetS through lifestyle modifications and medical interventions to prevent or delay the onset of YOD.

Source:

Lee JY, et al. (2025, May 27). Neurology. Association Between Metabolic Syndrome and Young-Onset Dementia: A Nationwide Population-Based Study. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40267374/