The Nutritional Status of older people with and without dementia living in an urban setting in central Africa: The edac study

International audienceObjectivesTo determine the nutritional status of elderly African people and to investigate the association between undernutrition and dementia.DesignDoor-to-door cross-sectional surveys in the general population.SettingRepresentative districts of Bangui (Central African Republic) and Brazzaville (Republic of Congo).ParticipantsPopulation aged over 65 years.MeasurementUndernutrition was defined as a body mass index <18.5. Anthropometric parameters (arm circumference, waist circumference and triceps skinfold thickness) were measured, and information was gathered on nutritional habits. Participants underwent cognitive screening using the Community Screening Interview for Dementia (CSI-D) and the Five-Word Test. After further neuropsychological testing and neurological examination, the diagnosis of dementia was confirmed according to DSM-IV criteria. Multivariate logistic regression models were applied in order to identify factors associated with undernutrition in populations with or without dementia.Results1016 people were included. In the general population, the prevalence of undernutrition was 19.2%. Dementia was found in 7.4% of elderly people. Compared with healthy people, patients with dementia had an increased prevalence of undernutrition (32.0% vs. 17.7%; p=0.002), lower weight (49.3±10.5 kg vs. 58.4±13.5 kg; p<0.001), and lower BMI (20.8±4.1 vs. 22.9±4.8; p<0.001); they were less likely to eat their fill (38.9% vs. 45.9%; p=0.001), had more dietary restrictions (36.1% vs. 24.3%; p=0.03) and ate less often with their family (66.7% vs. 90.6%; p