Gert van der Hoek
In Memoriam - Editor, Senior Moderator
Dementia
Fact sheet N?362
March 2015
Key facts
Common forms
There are many different forms, or causes, of dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases. Other major forms include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies (abnormal aggregates of protein that develop inside nerve cells), and a group of diseases that contribute to frontotemporal dementia (degeneration of the frontal lobe of the brain). The boundaries between different forms of dementia are indistinct and mixed forms often co-exist.
Rates of dementia
Worldwide, 47.5 million people have dementia, with just over half (58%) living in low- and middle-income countries. Every year, there are 7.7 million new cases.
The estimated proportion of the general population aged 60 and over with dementia at a given time is between 5 to 8 per 100 people.
The total number of people with dementia is projected to 75.6 million in 2030 and almost triple by 2050 to 135.5 million. Much of this increase is attributable to the rising numbers of people with dementia living in low- and middle-income countries.
Treatment and care
There is no treatment currently available to cure dementia or to alter its progressive course. Numerous new treatments are being investigated in various stages of clinical trials.
Much can be, however, offered to support and improve the lives of people with dementia and their caregivers and families. The principal goals for dementia care are:
Research identifying modifiable risk factors of dementia is scarce. Prevention focuses on targets suggested by available evidence, which include countering risk factors for vascular disease, such as diabetes, midlife hypertension, midlife obesity, smoking and physical inactivity.
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Fact sheet N?362
March 2015
Key facts
- Dementia is a syndrome in which there is deterioration in memory, thinking, behaviour and the ability to perform everyday activities.
- Although dementia mainly affects older people, it is not a normal part of ageing.
- Worldwide, 47.5 million people have dementia and there are 7.7 million new cases every year.
- Alzheimer's disease is the most common cause of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases.
- Dementia is one of the major causes of disability and dependency among older people worldwide.
- Dementia has physical, psychological, social and economical impact on caregivers, families and society.
Common forms
There are many different forms, or causes, of dementia. Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to 60–70% of cases. Other major forms include vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies (abnormal aggregates of protein that develop inside nerve cells), and a group of diseases that contribute to frontotemporal dementia (degeneration of the frontal lobe of the brain). The boundaries between different forms of dementia are indistinct and mixed forms often co-exist.
Rates of dementia
Worldwide, 47.5 million people have dementia, with just over half (58%) living in low- and middle-income countries. Every year, there are 7.7 million new cases.
The estimated proportion of the general population aged 60 and over with dementia at a given time is between 5 to 8 per 100 people.
The total number of people with dementia is projected to 75.6 million in 2030 and almost triple by 2050 to 135.5 million. Much of this increase is attributable to the rising numbers of people with dementia living in low- and middle-income countries.
Treatment and care
There is no treatment currently available to cure dementia or to alter its progressive course. Numerous new treatments are being investigated in various stages of clinical trials.
Much can be, however, offered to support and improve the lives of people with dementia and their caregivers and families. The principal goals for dementia care are:
- early diagnosis
- optimizing physical health, cognition, activity and well-being
- identifying and treating accompanying physical illness
- detecting and treating behavioural and psychological symptoms
- providing information and long-term support to caregivers.
Research identifying modifiable risk factors of dementia is scarce. Prevention focuses on targets suggested by available evidence, which include countering risk factors for vascular disease, such as diabetes, midlife hypertension, midlife obesity, smoking and physical inactivity.
MORE: