Public Health.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Epidemiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is a fatal neurodegenerative disorder.
• Epidemiological data on CJD in Mexico is limited.
• Previous studies analyzed small case series, leaving incidence and prevalence unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the incidence of sporadic CJD in Mexico.
• To analyze clinical, imaging, and cerebrospinal fluid variables of CJD patients.
• To identify the geographical distribution of CJD cases within Mexico.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of patients diagnosed with sporadic CJD at a national neurology institute.
• Calculation of CJD incidence within the Emergency Department for 2023 and 2024.
• Review of electronic medical records for clinical, imaging (MRI), EEG, and CSF data.

Main Results:

• CJD incidence in the Emergency Department was 0.06% in 2023 and 0.10% in 2024.
• A total of 16 cases met diagnostic criteria, with only 3 from Mexico City.
• Diverse clinical presentations were observed, including dementia, psychosis, and primary progressive aphasia; all patients showed MRI abnormalities.

Conclusions:

• CJD is characterized by rapidly progressive dementia with varied clinical features.
• Understanding CJD incidence in Mexico is essential for developing management strategies.
• This study provides initial insights into CJD epidemiology in Mexico, highlighting the need for further research.