Sex differences in risk factors among Alzheimer's dementia patients with metabolic encephalopathy

Background

Differences in risk factors and demographics may explain sex differences in Alzheimer’s dementia patients with metabolic encephalopathy (ADME). This study aims to identify the different risk factors in the population of ADME patients and determine whether these factors differ between male and female ADME patients.

Method

Sex differences in risk factors for Alzheimer dementia (AD) were assessed using retrospective data analysis. The univariate analysis was used to determine differences in risk factors for male and female AD patients. Multivariate analysis predicted specific risk factors associated with male and female AD patients.

Results

In the adjusted analysis, ADME patients that present with hypertension (OR(odd ratio) = 1.102, 95 % confidence interval(CI), 1.010–1.203, P = 0.029), peripheral vascular disease (od(OR) = 2.075, 95 % CI, 1.769–2.434, P = <0.001), atrial fibrillation (OR = 1.507, 95 % CI, 1.297–1.751, P = <0.001), hallucinations (OR = 2.052, 95 % CI, 1.242–3.390, P = <0.001), thyroid disease (OR = 7.762, 95 % CI, 3.721–16.189, P = <0.001), traumatic head injury (OR = 13.754, 95 % CI, 7.361–25.699, P = <0.001), pneumonia (OR = 1.271, 95 % CI, 1.144–1.413, P = <0.001), and have a history of alcohol use (OR = 1.877, 95 % CI, 1.709–2.061, P = <0.001) were more likely to be males. In contrast, AD patients that present with osteoporosis (OR = 0.317, 95 % CI, 0.266–0.377, P = <0.001), cancer (OR = 0.526, 95 % CI, 0.362–0.765, P = <0.001), anxiety (OR = 0.518, 95 % CI, 0.443–0.605, P = <0.001), urinary tract infection (OR = 0.355, 95 % CI, 0.311–0.404, P = <0.001), upper respiratory infection (OR = 0.061, 95 % CI, 0.033–0.111, P = <0.001), secondary dementia (OR = 0.435, 95 % CI, 0.242–0.781, P = <0.001), gastrointestinal ulceration (OR = 0.07, 95 % CI, 0.025–0.195, P = <0.001), chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (OR = 0.834, 95 % CI, 0.733–0.949, P = <0.001), treated with SSRI (OR = 0.834, 95 % CI, 0.761–0.915, P = <0.001) including buspirone (OR = 0.624, 95 % CI, 0.546–0.715, P = <0.001) were more likely to be females.

Conclusions

In our findings, females were more likely to have osteoporosis, cancer, anxiety, urinary tract infection, upper respiratory infection, secondary dementia, gastrointestinal ulceration, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder than males. In contrast, men were more likely to have hypertension, atrial fibrillation, peripheral vascular disorder, hallucination, thyroid diseases, traumatic brain injury, pneumonia, and alcohol abuse than females. The clinical implications of our findings underscore the importance of recognizing sex differences in patients with ADME, as they may provide valuable insights into the underlying disease pathophysiology and pave the way for identifying more effective, tailored treatment strategies for both male and female patients with ADME. Therefore, understanding where there are differences will provide better treatment and care for both female and male ADME patients.