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Dementia: case ascertainment in a community survey
M F Folstein1, S S Bassett, J C Anthony
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions, Baltimore.
Journal of Gerontology
|July 1, 1991
Summary
This study estimated dementia prevalence in East Baltimore, finding 4.5% in adults 65+. Alzheimer's disease and Multi-Infarct Dementia each affected 2.0% of this population.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Epidemiology
- Neurology
Background:
- The Epidemiological Catchment Area Program initiated community-based mental health surveys.
- Assessing dementia prevalence is crucial for public health planning and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of dementia and specific dementing disorders in a community sample aged 65 and older.
- To examine demographic factors associated with dementia prevalence.
Main Methods:
- A three-stage survey methodology was employed, including clinical psychiatric evaluation.
- A cross-sectional sample of 3,841 households was initially targeted, with 810 individuals undergoing clinical evaluation.
- Differential diagnosis was performed on 32 individuals who completed the final evaluation stage.
Main Results:
- Overall dementia prevalence was 4.5% in individuals aged 65 and older.
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Multi-Infarct Dementia (MID) each had a prevalence of 2.0%, while Mixed Dementia (MD) was 0.5%.
- Prevalence increased with age; Non-Whites showed higher rates than Whites; females had higher AD rates, males higher MID rates; AD prevalence rose with education, while MID decreased.
Conclusions:
- The study provides an estimate of severe dementing disorder prevalence in the studied community.
- Findings highlight demographic variations in dementia subtypes, suggesting potential etiological differences.
- Further community-based research is warranted to validate and expand upon these findings.