Objective:Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common cause of dementia in old age worldwide. Approximately 60 percent of dementing illnesses are due to AD. India has probably the world’s lowest reported incidence rate of AD (overall incidence rate in those aged 65 or more years is 4.7 per 1000 person years). Etiology of AD remains elusive. This study was planed to find out weather individual who were addicted of substance of abuse, alcohol or tobacco in early life have higher chances of developing AD or not as compare to normal controls.
Design::- A retrospective study of AD patients with there matched controls for use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco in past on Schedule of Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry and by questionnaire on tobacco.
Materials and Methods:Patients of Alzheimer’s disease (n=20) and randomly selected control from general population matched on similar gender, age and area of residence(n=30) were identified in rural and urban areas of India. Both groups were assessed for use of drugs and alcohol in the past and present on Schedules for Clinical Assessment in Neuropsychiatry and use tobacco by a separate questionnaire. Family member of AD patients were also asked for details about the addiction habits of patients in past.
Results:More Alzheimer’s Disease patients then normal controls reported problem use of drugs in the past years {10 (50%) v 3(10%)} and same with problem use of alcohol in the past{14 (70%) v 5 (16.6%)}. Most of AD patients were come out as smokers {17 (85%)} v 12 (40%)} as compare to controls. 80 percents of them are currently using the tobacco.
Conclusion:Problem use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco by patients of AD is greater then general population and this suggest the possibility of some impact of these substances on causality of AD. A bigger sample study is necessary to confirm this relationship.
Back to PB Tuesday Poster Sessions
Back to The Eleventh International Congress