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Comparison of Alzheimer's Disease in Native Americans and Whites

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 January 2005

Myron F. Weiner ,
Roger N. Rosenberg ,
Doris Svetlik ,
Linda S. Hynan ,
Kyle B. Womack ,
Charles White III ,
Shane Good ,
Carey Fuller ,
David Wharton  and
Ralph Richter
Myron F. Weiner
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, US Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, US
Roger N. Rosenberg
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, US
Doris Svetlik
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, US
Linda S. Hynan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, US Academic Computing Services, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, US
Kyle B. Womack
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, US Department of Neurology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, US
Charles White III
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, US
Shane Good
Affiliation:
Urban Intertribal Center, Dallas, Texas, US
Carey Fuller
Affiliation:
Urban Intertribal Center, Dallas, Texas, US
David Wharton
Affiliation:
Choctaw Nation Health Care Center, Talihina, Oklahoma, US
Ralph Richter
Affiliation:
Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma, US
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Abstract

Objective: This study compared medical history and findings on initial clinical examination in Native Americans diagnosed with possible or probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) at Native American satellite clinics of the University of Texas (UT) Southwestern Medical Center's Alzheimer's Disease Center with those of Whites diagnosed with probable AD at the UT Southwestern Medical Center's Alzheimer's Disease Clinic. Methods: The information reviewed was contained in the database of the UT Southwestern Alzheimer's Disease Center. Results: In relation to Whites, Native Americans had slightly but significantly greater age at onset of symptoms (71.7 vs. 69.6 years, t = −2.08, p = .04) and equivalent cognitive scores at evaluation (Mini-Mental State Exam score = 17.4 vs. 18.5, t = 0.98, p = .33), despite significantly lower educational level (11.4 vs. 13.4 years, t = 5.63, p < .001). Native Americans were more frequently depressed on examination (22.8% vs. 9.5%, χ2 = 12, p = .001) and reported diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease significantly more often than did Whites (p < .01 for all), but their survival time after AD diagnosis was similar to that of Whites despite these comorbidities. Conclusions: With the exception of a greater prevalence of depression and cardiovascular risk factors in Native Americans than in Whites, Native Americans had a course of illness similar to that of Whites.

Keywords

CherokeeChoctawNative AmericanAlzheimer's diseaseWhitescomparison
Type
Articles
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 15 , Issue 4 , December 2003 , pp. 367 - 375
Copyright
© 2003 International Psychogeriatric Association

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