Sex differences in dementia and response to a lifestyle intervention: Evidence from Nordic population‐based studies and a prevention trial

INTRODUCTION: Evidence on sex differences in the risk for dementia has been mixed. The goal was to assess sex differences in the development of dementia, and in the effects of a lifestyle intervention. METHODS: Two strategies were adopted, one using combined data from three large Nordic population‐based cohort studies (n = 2289), adopting dementia as outcome, and 2‐year multidomain lifestyle intervention (n = 1260), adopting cognitive change as outcome. RESULTS: There was higher risk for dementia after age 80 years in women. The positive effects of the lifestyle intervention on cognition did not significantly differ between men and women. Sex‐specific analyses suggested that different vascular, lifestyle, and psychosocial risk factors are important for women and men in mid‐ and late‐life. CONCLUSION: Women had higher risk for dementia among the oldest individuals. Lifestyle interventions may be effectively implemented among older men and women.