Abstract:
Recent research suggests that infection with Onchocerca volvulus induces neurocognitive decline. This study sought to compare the cognitive outcomes of elderly persons based on onchocerciasis infection status and report the overall prevalence of dementia in the rural Ntui Health District in Cameroon. A community-based approach was used to recruit 103 participants aged ≥60 years. Dementia screening was done using the Community Screening Interview for Dementia (CSID) tool with a cut-off value of ≤29.5. O. volvulus infection was determined via microscopic examination of skin snips and serological testing of Ov16 antibodies using rapid diagnostic tests. Overall, the prevalence of dementia was 10.7%. Among the tested individuals, 17.9% (15/84) and 62.1% (41/66) were positive for O. volvulus and Ov16 antibodies, respectively. A multivariable linear regression model of CSID scores found a significant positive association with education level (8.654; 95% CI: 2.0870 to 15.222). However, having a positive skin snip for O. volvulus (-3.399; 95% CI: -6.805 to 0.007) and inhaling tobacco (-5.441; 95% CI: -9.137 to -1.744) tended to lower the CSID scores. Ongoing onchocerciasis transmission in the Ntui Health District may constitute a risk factor for dementia. Strengthening onchocerciasis elimination and adopting healthier lifestyles would contribute to dementia prevention among the elderly residing in endemic communities.
摘要:
最近的研究表明,Onchocerca肠扭转感染会引起神经认知能力下降。这项研究旨在根据盘尾丝虫病感染状况比较老年人的认知结果,并报告喀麦隆农村Ntui卫生区痴呆症的总体患病率。采用基于社区的方法招募103名年龄≥60岁的参与者。使用社区痴呆症筛查访谈(CSID)工具进行痴呆症筛查,其临界值≤29.5。通过皮肤剪断的显微镜检查和使用快速诊断测试的Ov16抗体的血清学测试来确定O.扭转感染。总的来说,痴呆的患病率为10.7%。在被测试的个体中,17.9%(15/84)和62.1%(41/66)的Ov16抗体阳性,分别。CSID得分的多变量线性回归模型发现与教育水平存在显著正相关(8.654;95%CI:2.0870至15.222)。然而,对于O.volvulus(-3.399;95%CI:-6.805至0.007)和吸入烟草(-5.441;95%CI:-9.137至-1.744),皮肤剪断呈阳性倾向于降低CSID评分。Ntui卫生区持续的盘尾丝虫病传播可能是痴呆症的危险因素。加强消除盘尾丝虫病和采用更健康的生活方式将有助于在流行社区的老年人中预防痴呆症。