A case-control study of Alzheimer's disease in Japan--significance of life-styles.

A case-control study of Alzheimer's disease was conducted in Japan; it involved 60 cases matched for sex and age with two resident controls each. Life-style was particularly highlighted in this study. Among many factors, 5 were accepted as significant risk factors: psychosocial inactivity, physical inactivity, head injury, loss of teeth and low education. A multiple logistic model was applied in order to evaluate synergism of major factors. Compared with those who have none of the factors, those who have all were 934.5 times more liable to develop Alzheimer's disease. Risk factors are not only useful for etiological studies but they give clues to identify high-risk individuals, and by eliminating these factors, the studies may also be applicable in the primary and the secondary prevention of this tragic disease.