A case-control study examining the association between service-related mental ill-health and dementia in male military veterans over the age of 65

Abstract: Dementia is currently incurable, irreversible and a major cause of disability for the world’s older population. The identification, and early intervention of modifiable risk factors, is therefore of increasing global priority. Prior scientific studies have suggested numerous risk factors which increase the chance of developing dementia, a number of which are suggested to occur at a greater frequency within military and military veteran personnel. One such risk factor is service-related mental ill health. This project aimed to determine whether service-related mental ill-health increases the risk that male military veterans have of developing dementia. The study compared the prevalence of service-related mental ill-health in male military veterans with dementia with those without dementia.