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Conditions associated with Alzheimer's disease at death: case-control study
Neurology
|February 1, 1986
Summary
This study identified conditions linked to shorter survival in Alzheimer's disease patients. Many of these associated conditions, like infections and trauma, are preventable and treatable.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Alzheimer's disease (AD) significantly impacts patient survival.
- Identifying comorbid conditions associated with reduced survival in AD is crucial for improving patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate conditions associated with decreased survival in patients diagnosed with senile and presenile dementia.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of US death certificates from 1978 mentioning senile and presenile dementia (ICDA 290, N=7,195).
- Comparison of dementia cases with two control deaths each.
- Statistical analysis to identify significant differences in listed comorbid conditions.
Main Results:
- Statistically significant differences were observed for infections, trauma, nutritional deficiency, chronic skin ulcers, foreign body in pharynx, cataracts, glaucoma, blindness, deafness, Parkinson's disease, and epilepsy.
- These conditions were more frequently listed in dementia patients compared to controls.
Conclusions:
- Several preventable and treatable disorders are associated with reduced survival in individuals with Alzheimer's disease.
- Addressing these comorbid conditions may improve outcomes for dementia patients.