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Prevalence of dementia subtypes in United States Medicare fee‐for‐service beneficiaries, 2011–2013
Author(s) -
Goodman Richard A.,
Lochner Kimberly A.,
Thambisetty Madhav,
Wingo Thomas S.,
Posner Samuel F.,
Ling Shari M.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2016.04.002
Subject(s) - dementia , medicaid , medicine , population , frontotemporal dementia , vascular dementia , gerontology , dementia with lewy bodies , lewy body , family medicine , health care , environmental health , disease , economics , economic growth
Rapid growth of the older adult population requires greater epidemiologic characterization of dementia. We developed national prevalence estimates of diagnosed dementia and subtypes in the highest risk United States (US) population. Methods We analyzed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid administrative enrollment and claims data for 100% of Medicare fee‐for‐service beneficiaries enrolled during 2011–2013 and age ≥68 years as of December 31, 2013 (n = 21.6 million). Results Over 3.1 million (14.4%) beneficiaries had a claim for a service and/or treatment for any dementia subtype. Dementia not otherwise specified was the most common diagnosis (present in 92.9%). The most common subtype was Alzheimer's (43.5%), followed by vascular (14.5%), Lewy body (5.4%), frontotemporal (1.0%), and alcohol induced (0.7%). The prevalence of other types of diagnosed dementia was 0.2%. Discussion This study is the first to document concurrent prevalence of primary dementia subtypes among this US population. The findings can assist in prioritizing dementia research, clinical services, and caregiving resources.