Association between visceral adiposity index and incident dementia: a community-based cohort study

Visceral adiposity index (VAI) is a novel surrogate indicator of abdominal obesity. However, the association between VAI and dementia remains unclear. We aimed to investigate the association between VAI and incident dementia among Chinese adults and to explore the role of social activity in such association. From the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study, 4,933 dementia-free adults aged ≥45 at baseline (2011-2012) were followed up until 2018 to detect incident dementia. Sex-specific VAI was calculated by incorporating waist circumference, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and body mass index, and then quartiled. The frequency of social activities was measured at baseline. Dementia was ascertained based on cognitive batteries and the Activity of Daily Living scale. Data were analyzed using logistic regression. Subgroup and joint-effect analyses were conducted to explore the moderating role of social activity. During the follow-up, 727 (14.6%) participants developed dementia. The highest quartile of VAI was associated with an increased risk of dementia (odds ratio [OR]: 1.38, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04, 1.82), compared to the lowest quartile. After stratifying by social activity, a significant association between high VAI and dementia was observed only in socially inactive people (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.19, 2.50). In joint-effect analysis, people with highest quartile of VAI and inactive social activity had the highest risk of dementia (OR: 1.89, 95% CI: 1.31, 2.94; P = 0.005). High VAI is associated with higher risk of dementia. Active social activity might attenuate the adverse effect of high VAI on dementia risk. Not applicable.