Vascular Factors and Risk of Dementia: Design of the Three-City Study and Baseline Characteristics of the Study Population

<i>Objective:</i> To describe the baseline characteristics of the participants in the Three-City (3C) Study, a study aiming to evaluate the risk of dementia and cognitive impairment attributable to vascular factors. <i>Methods:</i> Between 1999 and 2001, 9,693 persons aged 65 years and over, noninstitutionalized, were recruited from the electoral rolls of three French cities, i.e. Bordeaux, Dijon and Montpellier. Health-related data were collected during face-to-face interviews using standardized questionnaires. The baseline examination included cognitive testing and diagnosis of dementia, and assessment of vascular risk factors, including blood pressure measurements, ultrasound…