The Canadian Study of Health and Aging

Abstract

Background and Purpose The Canadian Study of Health and Aging (CSHA) was conducted in communities and institutions in 10 Canadian provinces. One objective of the study was to study risk factors for vascular dementia (VaD). Methods This was a population-based case-control study. It included 129 patients clinically diagnosed with VaD with duration of symptoms no more than 3 years and 535 control subjects, frequency matched by age group, study center, and residence in community or institution, who were clinically confirmed to be cognitively normal. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated using unconditional logistic regression for potential risk factors for VaD. Results Risk of VaD was associated with history of arterial hypertension (OR, 2.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.29 to 3.35). Other significantly elevated ORs were seen for history of alcohol abuse (2.45), history of heart condition (1.71), use of aspirin (3.10), and occupational exposure to pesticides and herbicides (2.60), as well as liquid plastic or rubb...