Short height and poor education increase the risk of dementia in Nigerian type 2 diabetic women

Abstract

Introduction There is urgent need to investigate type 2 diabetes and dementia crosstalk in sub‐Saharan African countries with special attention to women who have higher vulnerability. Nigeria which has the highest number of diabetics on the African continent is a good location for the investigation. Methods Biophysical parameters, occupation, education, burden of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular health, and cognition were evaluated in 102 type 2 diabetics and 99 controls. Results Short physical stature and lower level of education were hallmarks of diabetes in females. Two dementia scales (Mini–Mental State Examination and six‐item Cognitive Impairment Test) showed cognitive impairment status, with the six‐item Cognitive Impairment Test scale being more specific and sensitive. Both scales showed correlations with age, education, weight, height, and disease onset, whereas fasten blood glucose was negatively correlated with height and their blood pressure was normal. Discussion Height, an easy‐to‐measure parameter in Nigeria, may reveal increased risk of dementia in poorly educated female Nigerian diabetics, thus helping to improve preventive and therapeutic interventions.