Population attributable fraction of modifiable risk factors for dementia in Chile

Introduction Projected dementia incidence in Latin America and the Caribbean for the next decades is overwhelming. Access to local data, stratified by sex, is imperative for planning precise dementia-prevention strategies. Methods We analyzed the individual and overall weighted population attributable fraction (PAF) of nine modifiable risk factors for dementia, in dementia-free subjects >= 45-years-old, using the 2016-2017 Chilean National Health Survey. Results The overall weighted PAF for modifiable risk factors was 45.8% (42.2% to 49.3%). Variables with the highest PAF were lower education, high blood pressure, hearing loss, and obesity. Women showed a greater overall weighted PAF: 50.7% (45.3% to -56.1%), compared to men: 40.2% (35.4% to 45.0%), driven by a higher PAF for physical inactivity and depression in women. Discussion The PAF for modifiable risk factors for dementia in Chile is higher than in previous world reports, due to a greater prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors. Women have a higher potential for dementia prevention. HIGHLIGHTS The proportion of dementia associated to modifiable risk factors in Chile is 45.8%. The main modifiable risk factors are high blood pressure, obesity, and hearing loss. Women had a greater prevalence of physical inactivity and depression than men. Chile had a greater prevalence of metabolic risk factors than other world regions.