Self-Reported Vision Impairment and Frailty among Older People with Low Cognitive Performance in Central Africa: EPIDEMCA Population-Based Study.

Introduction: Very little is known about the impact of vision impairment (VI) on physical health in late-life in sub-Saharan Africa populations, whereas many older people experience it. We investigated the association between self-reported VI and frailty in Central African older people with low cognitive performance.

Methods: It was cross-sectional analysis of data from the Epidemiology of Dementia in Central Africa (EPIDEMCA) population-based study.

Vision Impairment and Adverse Health Conditions in Congolese Older People: A Population-Based Study.

Introduction: In sub-Saharan Africa, many older people experience vision impairment (VI) and its adverse health outcomes. In this study, we examined separately the association between VI and each adverse health conditions (cognitive disorders, vision-related quality of life [VRQoL], and daily functioning interference [DFI]) among Congolese older people. We also explored whether VI had a significant effect on VRQoL components in our population.

Apolipoprotein E ϵ4 allele and neuropsychiatric symptoms among older adults in Central Africa (EPIDEMCA study).

Objectives: To evaluate the association between neuropsychiatric symptoms and apolipoprotein E (APOE) ϵ4 allele among older people in Central African Republic (CAR) and the Republic of Congo (ROC).

Design: Multicenter population-based study following a two-phase design.

Setting: From 2011 to 2012, rural and urban areas of CAR and ROC.

Cardiovascular Health and Near Visual Impairment Among Older Adults in the Republic of Congo: A Population-Based Study.

Background: Visual impairment (VI) and determinants of poor cardiovascular health are very common in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, we do not know whether these determinants are associated with VI among older adults in this region. This study aimed at investigating the association between the determinants of poor cardiovascular health and near VI among older adults living in Congo.

Predictive formulas for estimation of height in sub-Saharan African older people: A new formula (EPIDEMCA study).

Objectives: Chumlea's formulas are a way of predicting height from knee height (KHt), including among individuals >60 y of age who cannot stand upright. However, the formulas were developed with white and African American people and have not yet been validated in native Africans >60 y of age. The aims of the study were to assess Chumlea's formulas in older people in central Africa and to propose a new validated formula for the same population.

Severity of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms and Distress in Dementia among Older People in Central Africa (EPIDEMCA Study).

Objectives: Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common in dementia. Limited data are available concerning their association with dementia in developing countries. Our aim was to describe the severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms among older people, evaluate the distress experienced by caregivers, and assess which neuropsychiatric symptoms were specifically associated with dementia among older adults in Central Africa.

Body mass index and peripheral arterial disease, a "U-shaped" relationship in elderly African population - the EPIDEMCA study.

There is no study available concerning specifically the role of underweight in PAD prevalence. Individuals ≥ 65 years living in urban and rural areas of two countries in Central Africa (Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo) were invited. Demographic, clinical and biological data were collected, and ankle-brachial index measured.

Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) predicts 2-year mortality risk among older adults in the Republic of Congo: The EPIDEMCA-FU study.

Background And Aims: Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is known to be associated with mortality in high income countries but no data regarding Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) populations are documented. This study aimed at assessing the prognostic value of the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI) among older adults in the Republic of Congo.

Methods: Congolese subjects ≥65 years were included in a longitudinal population-based survey (EPIDEMCA-FU).

People with Dementia in Sub-Saharan Africa: From Support to Abuse by Caregivers: Results of EPIDEMCA-FU Program in Congo.

Background/aims: Dementia is an emerging public health problem in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In SSA, the stigma suffered by people with dementia (PWD) can be strongly linked to pejorative social representations, interfering in social relationships with informal caregivers. The objective of the study was to analyze the consequences of social representations of PWD in social interactions with informal caregivers.

Development of the Central Africa Daily Functioning Interference Scale for Dementia Diagnosis in Older Adults: The EPIDEMCA Study.

Background: There are a few validated tools capable of assessing the dimensions essential for the diagnosis of dementia and cognitive disorders in sub-Saharan Africa.

Objectives: Our aim was to develop an adapted tool, the Central African - Daily Functioning Interference (DFI) scale.

Methods: An initial 16-item scale of activity limitations and participation restrictions was completed by 301 participants with low cognitive performances to assess their level of DFI.

Prevalence of toxoplasmosis and its association with dementia in older adults in Central Africa: a result from the EPIDEMCA programme.

Objective: We aimed at estimating the seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) infection in older adults living in Central Africa and investigating its association with dementia using data from the Epidemiology of Dementia in Central Africa (EPIDEMCA) programme.

Methods: A cross-sectional multicentre population-based study was carried out among participants aged 73 (±7) years on average, living in rural and urban areas of the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo between November 2011 and December 2012.

Neuropsychiatric symptoms among older adults living in two countries in Central Africa (EPIDEMCA study).

Objectives: Our study aimed at estimating the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms and investigating associated factors among older adults living in two countries in Central Africa (Central African Republic [CAR] and Republic of Congo [ROC]).

Methods: The EPIDEMCA multicentre population-based study was carried out in rural and urban areas of CAR and ROC between 2011 and 2012 among people aged 65 and over. After cognitive screening using the Community Screening Interview for Dementia, participants with low performances underwent neurological examination including the brief version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q).

Ankle-Brachial Index: An Ubiquitous Marker of Cognitive Impairment-The EPIDEMCA Study.

Epidemiological research on the implication of atherosclerosis in the development of cognitive impairment is lacking in low- and middle-income countries, where two-thirds of the individuals affected by dementia live. Individuals aged ≥65 years living in urban and rural areas of 2 countries in Central Africa were invited. Demographic, clinical, and biological data were collected, and the ankle-brachial index (ABI) was measured.

Prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in older people in Central Africa: the EPIDEMCA study.

Hypertension represents a major global health burden. While older individuals of African descent are at higher risk of hypertension in western countries, epidemiologic data on hypertension in older native Africans are scarce. We assessed the prevalence and the level of awareness and control of hypertension among older adults in Central Africa.

Dementia-associated mortality and its predictors among older adults in sub-Saharan Africa: results from a 2-year follow-up in Congo (the EPIDEMCA-FU study).

Background: between 2011 and 2012, we carried out a study of dementia prevalence in central Africa throughout the EPIDEMCA (Epidemiology of Dementia in Central Africa) programme.

Objective: to assess dementia-related mortality among Congolese older people from the EPIDEMCA study after 2 years of follow-up.

Design: longitudinal population-based cohort study.

Erratum to: Epidemiology of dementia in Central Africa (EPIDEMCA): protocol for a multicentre population-based study in rural and urban areas of the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-3-338.].

Association between mild cognitive impairment and dementia and undernutrition among elderly people in Central Africa: some results from the EPIDEMCA (Epidemiology of Dementia in Central Africa) programme.

Several studies in Western countries have shown an association between cognitive disorders and low BMI or weight loss in elderly people. However, few data are available in Africa. We analysed the association between cognitive disorders and undernutrition among elderly people in Central Africa.

Mutation in the 3'untranslated region of APP as a genetic determinant of cerebral amyloid angiopathy.

Aβ-related cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is a major cause of primary non-traumatic brain hemorrhage. In families with an early onset of the disease, CAA can be due to amyloid precursor protein (APP) pathogenic variants or duplications. APP duplications lead to a ~1.

Association between Stressful Life Events and Cognitive Disorders in Central Africa: Results from the EPIDEMCA Program.

Background: Stressful life events (SLEs) are considered potential risk factors for cognitive disorders. Our objective was to investigate the association between SLEs and cognitive disorders among the elderly people in Central Africa.

Method: A population-based study was conducted in the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Republic of Congo (ROC).

Prevalence of peripheral artery disease in the elderly population in urban and rural areas of Central Africa: the EPIDEMCA study.

Objective: Data on peripheral artery disease in Africa are sparse and limited to urban areas. Given the urban/rural socio-economical gradient in these countries, we sought to determine the prevalence and risk factors of peripheral artery disease in urban and rural areas of two countries in Central Africa.

Methods: Individuals ≥65 years old living in two urban and rural areas of the Republic of Central Africa (ROC) and the Central African Republic (CAR) were invited.

Is dependent personality disorder associated with mild cognitive impairment and dementia in Central Africa? A result from the EPIDEMCA programme.

Background: To date, no studies have examined the relationship between cognitive disorders and personality disorders. Our aim was to investigate the association between dependent personality disorder (DPD) and cognitive disorders in Central Africa.

Methods: Between 2011 and 2012, a cross-sectional multicenter population-based study was carried out in rural and urban areas of the Central African Republic (CAR) and the Republic of Congo (ROC).

Epidemiology of dementia in Central Africa (EPIDEMCA): protocol for a multicentre population-based study in rural and urban areas of the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo.

Background: The worldwide population is ageing and the proportion of elderly aged 60 and over is expected to dramatically rise in Low and Middle Income Countries (LMIC). The epidemic of dementia will not spare those countries, where the largest increases in numbers of people affected are estimated. Besides, dementia is still understudied in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) compared to other regions.