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Rate of dementia diagnoses according to the degree of aging of the population

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 October 2014

Laia Calvó-Perxas ,
María Aguirregomozcorta ,
Isabel Casas ,
Margarita Flaqué ,
Marta Hernàndez ,
Marta Linares ,
Yolanda Silva ,
Marta Viñas ,
Secundino López-Pousa  and
Josep Garre-Olmo
Laia Calvó-Perxas
Affiliation:
IAS Research Unit [Girona Biomedical Research Institute] IDIBGI. Girona, Catalonia, Spain
María Aguirregomozcorta
Affiliation:
Neurology Unit, Hospital de Figueres, Figueres, Catalonia, Spain
Isabel Casas
Affiliation:
Hospital de Campdevànol, Campdevànol, Catalonia, Spain
Margarita Flaqué
Affiliation:
Dementia Unit, Hospital de Palamós, Palamós, Catalonia, Spain
Marta Hernàndez
Affiliation:
Dementia Unit, Hospital de Santa Caterina, Salt, Catalonia, Spain
Marta Linares
Affiliation:
Neurology Department, Hospital d’Olot, Olot, Catalonia, Spain
Yolanda Silva
Affiliation:
Neurodegenerative Disease Unit, Hospital Universitari Dr. Josep Trueta, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
Marta Viñas
Affiliation:
Geriatrics and Neurology Department, Hospital de Blanes, Catalonia, Spain
Secundino López-Pousa
Affiliation:
IAS Research Unit [Girona Biomedical Research Institute] IDIBGI. Girona, Catalonia, Spain Dementia Unit, Hospital de Santa Caterina, Salt, Catalonia, Spain Department of Medical Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
Josep Garre-Olmo*
Affiliation:
IAS Research Unit [Girona Biomedical Research Institute] IDIBGI. Girona, Catalonia, Spain Department of Medical Sciences, University of Girona, Girona, Catalonia, Spain
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Josep Garre-Olmo, IAS Research Unit [Girona Biomedical Research Institute] IDIBGI. C/ Dr Castany s/n; 17190 Salt, CataloniaSpain. Phone: +34 972 182600 (ext. 1833). Email: josep.garre@ias.scs.es.
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Abstract

Background:

There is a lack of information regarding geographical differences in the incidence and prevalence of dementia diagnosis according to the degree of aging of the population. The objectives of this study were to analyze the rate of dementia diagnoses, and to compare the dementia subtypes and the clinical characteristics of the patients depending on the degree of aging of their municipalities.

Methods:

We used data from the Registry of Dementias of Girona (ReDeGi), containing the cases of dementia diagnosed in the memory clinics of the Health Region of Girona, in Catalonia (Spain), during 2007–2012. The municipalities were classified by a cluster analysis as aged or young municipalities according to their proportion of older people using population ageing indicators. The incidence rates of dementia diagnosis in each type of municipality were compared.

Results:

The ReDeGi registered 4,314 cases in the municipalities under surveillance. The clinical incidence of dementia was lower in aged municipalities (4.5 vs. 6.1 cases per 1,000 person-years aged 65 and over). Patients from young municipalities had an increased frequency of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.

Conclusions:

The environment may influence the clinical manifestations of dementia that predispose people to visit health specialists and obtain a diagnosis.

Keywords

agingepidemiologyregistriespopulation characteristicshealthcare disparities
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 27 , Issue 3 , March 2015 , pp. 419 - 427
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2014 

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