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Prevalence of dementia in a southern European population in two different time periods: the ZARADEMP Project
Author(s) -
Lobo A.,
Saz P.,
Marcos G.,
Dia J. L.,
DelaCamara C.,
Ventura T.,
Montañes J. A.,
LoboEscolar A.,
Aznar S.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
acta psychiatrica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.849
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1600-0447
pISSN - 0001-690X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0447.2007.01006.x
Subject(s) - dementia , population , european population , gerontology , psychology , demography , medicine , psychiatry , environmental health , disease , sociology
Objective: To compare the prevalence of dementia in two different time periods and two different studies. Method: Representative, random samples of the elderly (>65 years) in the Zaragoza Study or ZARADEMP‐0 ( n = 1080) completed the previous decade, and now in Wave I of the ZARADEMP Project or ZARADEMP‐I ( n = 3715) were interviewed. Standardized measures included the Geriatric Mental State and the History and Aetiology schedule. Cases of dementia were diagnosed according to DSM‐IV criteria. Results: Adjusted, global prevalence of dementia has not varied significantly: it was 5.2% (95% CI = 3.9–6.6) in ZARADEMP‐0 and 3.9% (95% CI = 3.3–4.5) in ZARADEMP‐I (prevalence ratio = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.56–1.02). However, the prevalence in ZARADEMP‐I was significantly lower among men, particularly in all age groups between 70 and 84 years. Conclusion: Stability of the global prevalence of dementia in the elderly population has been documented. However, the decreased prevalence found in elderly men stimulated environmental hypotheses.