Lipid accumulation product index, serum inflammatory cytokines, and dementia in rural older adults: A population-based study

BackgroundThe lipid accumulation product (LAP) index, a sex-specific indicator of abdominal lipid accumulation, has emerged as a predictor for cardiometabolic disease. However, its association with dementia has been rarely explored in population-based studies.ObjectiveWe sought to investigate the associations of LAP index with all-cause dementia, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and vascular dementia (VaD) as well as with serum inflammatory cytokines among rural-dwelling older adults in China.MethodsThis cross-sectional study included 5670 participants (age ≥ 60 years), with data available in 1851 individuals on serum inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1). Dementia and subtypes were diagnosed following the international criteria. The LAP index was calculated as [waist circumference (cm)-65] × triglycerides (mmol/L) for men and [waist circumference (cm)-58] × triglycerides (mmol/L) for women. Data were analyzed using multiple logistic and linear regression models.ResultsOf the 5670 participants, dementia was diagnosed in 305 persons (194 with AD and 100 with VaD). As a continuous variable, the LAP index was associated with multivariable-adjusted odds ratios of 1.28 (95% confidence interval: 1.01-1.61) for all-cause dementia, 1.40 (1.05-1.86) for AD, and 1.12 (0.75-1.66) for VaD. As a categorical variable, the highest (versus lowest) quintile of LAP index was associated with multivariable-adjusted odds ratios of 1.91 (1.17-3.12) for dementia, 2.18 (1.19-3.99) for AD, and 1.88 (0.78-4.53) for VaD. A higher LAP index was significantly correlated with serum inflammatory cytokines (<i>p</i> < 0.05).ConclusionsHigh LAP index is linked with dementia and AD in older adults and chronic systemic inflammation might represent a plausible biological pathway.