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Deaths due to dementia: An analysis of multiple-cause-of-death data
K Wilkins1, G F Parsons, J F Gentleman
1Health Statistics Division, Statistics Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, K1A 0T6, Canada.
Chronic Diseases in Canada
|June 3, 1999
Summary
Investigating dementia comorbidities reveals certain cancers and rheumatoid arthritis are less associated with dementia mortality. This suggests potential protective factors against dementia onset warrant further research.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Dementia is a significant cause of mortality, often listed as a contributing factor rather than the underlying cause of death.
- Understanding comorbidities associated with dementia is crucial for public health strategies and patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze multiple-cause-of-death data to identify conditions significantly associated with dementia as a cause of death in older Canadians.
- To explore conditions inversely associated with dementia mortality, potentially indicating protective effects.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of over 113,000 death certificates from Canadians aged 65 and older.
- Calculation of frequencies and rates for dementia as a mentioned cause versus an underlying cause of death.
- Statistical identification of significantly likely and unlikely co-occurring causes of death with dementia.
Main Results:
- Dementia was mentioned on death certificates 2.4 times more frequently than it was the underlying cause of death.
- Conditions least associated with dementia included certain cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and rheumatoid arthritis.
- Causes positively associated with dementia largely reflected general physical deterioration.
Conclusions:
- Conditions rarely co-occurring with dementia may offer insights into dementia prevention or delayed onset.
- Further investigation into anti-inflammatory drugs and nicotine's role in reducing dementia risk is recommended.
- Understanding dementia comorbidities can inform strategies to mitigate its impact as a cause of death.
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