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The prevalence of dementia in an urban Turkish population

H Gurvit1, M Emre, S Tinaz

  • 1Behavioral Neurology and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Capa, Istanbul, Turkey. gurvit@istanbul.edu.tr

American Journal of Alzheimer'S Disease and Other Dementias
|February 16, 2008
PubMed

Insights

This study found that dementia affects 20% of older adults in Istanbul, with Alzheimer's disease (AD) accounting for 11%. These prevalence rates for dementia and AD are similar to those reported in Western countries.

Area of Science:

  • Gerontology
  • Neurology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Cognitive impairment and dementia are significant public health concerns in aging populations worldwide.
  • Understanding the prevalence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in diverse geographical regions is crucial for resource allocation and intervention planning.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the prevalence of dementia and probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) in community-dwelling individuals aged 70 years and older in Istanbul, Turkey.
  • To compare these prevalence rates with those reported in Western populations.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based, two-stage cross-sectional study was conducted with 1019 participants aged 70+ in Istanbul.
  • The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) was used for initial cognitive screening, followed by a standardized diagnostic workup for those screening positive.
  • Dementia and probable AD diagnoses were established using established diagnostic criteria.

Main Results:

  • The prevalence of dementia was 20.0% (95% CI, 14.0% to 26.0%), and the prevalence of probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) was 11.0% (95% CI, 7.0% to 15.0%).
  • A total of 93 dementia cases were identified, with 58 diagnosed as probable AD.
  • The study included 322 individuals who screened positive on the MMSE and 63 who screened negative.

Conclusions:

  • The prevalence rates of dementia and probable AD in Istanbul are comparable to those observed in Western countries.
  • These findings highlight the significant burden of dementia in the Turkish elderly population.
  • Further research is warranted to explore contributing factors and develop targeted interventions for dementia prevention and management in this region.

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