Dementia Prevalence and Onchocerca volvulus Infection among Rural Elderly Persons in the Ntui Health District, Cameroon: A Population-Based Study

Wepnyu Yembe Njamnshi, Joseph Nelson Siewe Fodjo, Kongnyu Gamnsi Njamnshi, Leonard Ngarka, Michel K. Mengnjo, Leonard N. Nfor, Martine A.F. Tsasse, Julius N.Taryunyu Njamnshi, Gladys Maestre, Jose E. Cavazos, Sudha Seshadri, Laurent S. Etoundi Ngoa, Marie Thérèse Obama Abena Ondoa, Bernard Fongang, Anne Cécile Zoung-Kanyi Bissek, Alfred K. Njamnshi

Producción científica: Articlerevisión exhaustiva

Resumen

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.

Idioma originalEnglish (US)
Número de artículo568
PublicaciónPathogens
Volumen13
N.º7
DOI
EstadoPublished - jul 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Molecular Biology
  • General Immunology and Microbiology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

Huella

Profundice en los temas de investigación de 'Dementia Prevalence and Onchocerca volvulus Infection among Rural Elderly Persons in the Ntui Health District, Cameroon: A Population-Based Study'. En conjunto forman una huella única.

Citar esto