Prevalence and incidence of dementia among 75–80-year-old community-dwelling elderly in different districts of Antwerp, Belgium: The Antwerp Cognition (ANCOG) Study

• Published in: Clinical neurology and neurosurgery 2011-11, Vol.113 (9), p.736-745
• Main Authors: De Deyn, P.P, Goeman, J, Vervaet, A, Dourcy-Belle-Rose, B, Van Dam, D, Geerts, E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Alzheimer Disease - epidemiology; Belgium - epidemiology; Biological and medical sciences; CAMDEX; Cognition - physiology; Cognition Disorders - epidemiology; Cognitive ability; Cognitive deterioration; Community-dwelling; Data Interpretation, Statistical; Dementia; Dementia - epidemiology; Dementia - psychology; Education; Educational Status; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Hypothyroidism; Incidence; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Marital Status; Medical sciences; MMSE; Neurologic Examination; Neurology; Neuropsychological Tests; Neurosurgery; Older people; Parkinson's disease; Prevalence; Sex Factors; Socioeconomic Factors; Standard deviation; Studies; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases
• ISSN: 0303-8467; 1872-6968
• DOI: 10.1016/j.clineuro.2011.07.030

Abstract Objective To analyse the prevalence and incidence of dementia in a population of community-dwelling elderly (aged 75–80), living in socio-economically differing districts of Antwerp (Belgium), taking into account possible gender and educational differences. Methods A longitudinal cohort study ( N = 825) with a 3-year follow-up period ( N = 363). The Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used as a primary screen of cognitive functioning. Scoring 21 or below led to a second phase examination by a neurologist, including the CAMDEX-R-N and a neurological examination, to provide a tentative aetiological diagnosis of dementia. These procedures were conducted annually during a 3-year follow-up period. Results In accordance with international literature, the overall prevalence rate of dementia was 8.7%. The cumulative incidence rate (IR) of dementia was 36.60 per 1000 Py with annual IRs ranging from 34.39 over 35.16 to 49.04 per 1000 Py. Dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) was the most occurring prevalent and incident cause. Women appeared to be at higher risk and the occurrence of cognitive deterioration was more prominent in districts with lower socio-economic status, possibly related to a lower education level. Conclusion We demonstrate dementia is a considerable health problem in an urban Belgian population of community-dwelling elderly aged between 75 and 80 years old. In order to prepare health care and social security systems for the future management of dementia, proper epidemiological insight into the current and future magnitude of the burden of dementia, taking into account socio-economic differences, to which this study contributes, are required.