JAMA Netw Open
Some 9/11 responders at higher risk for early-onset dementia
Compared with World Trade Center (WTC) responders with the lowest exposure levels or responders who used PPE, those with severe exposure to dust or debris were at significantly higher risk of dementia before 65 years of age.
- Responders 60 years of age or younger without dementia at the time of their first cognitive assessment were followed up every 18 months, on average, for up to 5 years. Exposure severity was based on questionnaire responses and exposure related activities, duration of work, and use of personal protective equipment (PPE). The main outcome was incidence of all-cause dementia before age 65 years.
- Of 9,891 responders, 5,010 were eligible for inclusion in this study of cognitive function (median age, 53 years; 91.3% male). There were 228 cases of dementia identified during 15,913.1 person-years of follow-up.
- Increasing WTC exposure severity was associated with incremental increases in the incidence rate of dementia per 1000 person-years (low, 2.95; mild, 12.16; moderate, 16.53; high, 30.09; and severe, 42.37).
- Adjusting for social, demographic, and relevant medical factors, each unit increase in exposure severity was associated with increased incidence of dementia (mean risk difference, 9.74 per 1000 person-years).
Source:
Clouston SAP, et al. (2024, June 3). JAMA Netw Open. Incidence of Dementia Before Age 65 Years Among World Trade Center Attack Responders. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38865124/