Dataset Information

Dementia and mortality in older adults: A twin study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Dementia predicts increased mortality. We used case-control and co-twin control models to investigate genetic and shared environmental influences on this association.

Methods

Case-control design, including 987 twins with dementia and 2938 age- and sex-matched controls in the Swedish Twin Registry. Co-twin control design, including 90 monozygotic (MZ) and 288 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs discordant for dementia. To test for genetic and environmental confounding, differences were examined in mortality risk between twins with dementia and their matched or co-twin controls.

Results

Twins with dementia showed greater mortality risk than age- and sex-matched controls (HR = 2.02 [1.86, 2.18]). Mortality risk is significantly elevated but attenuated substantially in discordant twin pairs, for example, comparing MZ twins with dementia to their co-twin controls (HR = 1.48 [1.08, 2.04]).

Discussion

Findings suggest that genetic factors partially confound the association between dementia and mortality and provide an alternative hypothesis to increased mortality due to dementia itself. Highlights We studied dementia and mortality in twin pairs discordant for dementia. People without dementia outlived people with dementia. Identical twins with dementia and their co-twin controls had similar survival time. Findings suggest genotype may explain the link between dementia and mortality.

SUBMITTER: Jang JY

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10947969 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

Dementia and mortality in older adults: A twin study.

Jang Jung Yun JY Beam Christopher R CR Karlsson Ida K IK Pedersen Nancy L NL Gatz Margaret M

Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association 20231211 3

<h4>Introduction</h4>Dementia predicts increased mortality. We used case-control and co-twin control models to investigate genetic and shared environmental influences on this association.<h4>Methods</h4>Case-control design, including 987 twins with dementia and 2938 age- and sex-matched controls in the Swedish Twin Registry. Co-twin control design, including 90 monozygotic (MZ) and 288 dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs discordant for dementia. To test for genetic and environmental confounding, differenc ...[more]

PMID: 38078564

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Dataset Information

Dementia and mortality in older adults: A twin study.

Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

Publications

Dementia and mortality in older adults: A twin study.

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