Factors Associated with Frontotemporal Dementia in China: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: There is a growing focus on frontotemporal dementia (FTD). However, compared with other major dementias, very little is known about the factors associated with FTD. The present study evaluated candidate factors associated with FTD in the Chinese population.

METHODS: One hundred eight elderly patients (36 diagnosed with FTD and 72 controls) of the Neurology Central Hospital of Tianjin (China), were diagnosed by neurologists, and recruited for the study between November 2011 and November 2014. Clinical evaluation, laboratory tests, brain images (computed tomography scans and magnetic resonance images), neuropsychological, and neuropsychiatric assessments were performed. The association between FTD and the variables was assessed using multiple binary logistic regression analyses adjusted for age and gender.

RESULTS: With controls as the reference category, education was associated with the diagnosis of FTD (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.17-2.19). Serum vitamin B12 levels were associated with the diagnosis of FTD (adjusted OR, 0.99; 95% CI: 0.98-0.99). Serum low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels were associated with the diagnosis of FTD (adjusted OR, 8.54; 95% CI: 2.86-25.49).

CONCLUSIONS: Education and serum LDL levels were positively associated with the diagnosis of FTD. Serum vitamin B12 levels were negatively associated with the diagnosis of FTD.