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BMC Neurology
Published in: BMC Neurology 1/2009

Open Access 01-12-2009 | Research article

Prevalence of dementia and major dementia subtypes in Spanish populations: A reanalysis of dementia prevalence surveys, 1990-2008

Authors: Jesús de Pedro-Cuesta, Javier Virués-Ortega, Saturio Vega, Manuel Seijo-Martínez, Pedro Saz, Fernanda Rodríguez, Angel Rodríguez-Laso, Ramón Reñé, Susana Pérez de las Heras, Raimundo Mateos, Pablo Martínez-Martín, José María Manubens, Ignacio Mahillo-Fernandez, Secundino López-Pousa, Antonio Lobo, Jordi Llinàs Reglà, Jordi Gascón, Francisco José García, Manuel Fernández-Martínez, Raquel Boix, Félix Bermejo-Pareja, Alberto Bergareche, Julián Benito-León, Ana de Arce, José Luis del Barrio

Published in: BMC Neurology | Issue 1/2009

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Abstract

Background

This study describes the prevalence of dementia and major dementia subtypes in Spanish elderly.

Methods

We identified screening surveys, both published and unpublished, in Spanish populations, which fulfilled specific quality criteria and targeted prevalence of dementia in populations aged 70 years and above. Surveys covering 13 geographically different populations were selected (prevalence period: 1990-2008). Authors of original surveys provided methodological details of their studies through a systematic questionnaire and also raw age-specific data. Prevalence data were compared using direct adjustment and logistic regression.

Results

The reanalyzed study population (aged 70 year and above) was composed of Central and North-Eastern Spanish sub-populations obtained from 9 surveys and totaled 12,232 persons and 1,194 cases of dementia (707 of Alzheimer's disease, 238 of vascular dementia). Results showed high variation in age- and sex-specific prevalence across studies. The reanalyzed prevalence of dementia was significantly higher in women; increased with age, particularly for Alzheimer's disease; and displayed a significant geographical variation among men. Prevalence was lowest in surveys reporting participation below 85%, studies referred to urban-mixed populations and populations diagnosed by psychiatrists.

Conclusion

Prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Central and North-Eastern Spain is higher in females, increases with age, and displays considerable geographic variation that may be method-related. People suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Spain may approach 600,000 and 400,000 respectively. However, existing studies may not be completely appropriate to infer prevalence of dementia and its subtypes in Spain until surveys in Southern Spain are conducted.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Prevalence of dementia and major dementia subtypes in Spanish populations: A reanalysis of dementia prevalence surveys, 1990-2008
Authors
Jesús de Pedro-Cuesta
Javier Virués-Ortega
Saturio Vega
Manuel Seijo-Martínez
Pedro Saz
Fernanda Rodríguez
Angel Rodríguez-Laso
Ramón Reñé
Susana Pérez de las Heras
Raimundo Mateos
Pablo Martínez-Martín
José María Manubens
Ignacio Mahillo-Fernandez
Secundino López-Pousa
Antonio Lobo
Jordi Llinàs Reglà
Jordi Gascón
Francisco José García
Manuel Fernández-Martínez
Raquel Boix
Félix Bermejo-Pareja
Alberto Bergareche
Julián Benito-León
Ana de Arce
José Luis del Barrio
Publication date
01-12-2009
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Neurology / Issue 1/2009
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2377-9-55

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