Prevalence of Dementia in People Aged 60 Years and Above: Results from the WiSE Study

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Subramaniam, Mythily^{a; 1; *} | Chong, Siow Ann^{a; 1} | Vaingankar, Janhavi Ajit^a | Abdin, Edimansyah^a | Chua, Boon Yiang^a | Chua, Hong Choon^b | Eng, Goi Khia^{a; c} | Heng, Derrick^d | Hia, Soo Boon^e | Huang, Wanping^e | Jeyagurunathana, Anitha^a | Kua, Joshua^f | Lee, Siau Pheng^a | Mahendran, Rathi^g | Magadi, Harish^e | Malladi, Srinivasa^e | McCrone, Paul^h | Pang, Shirlene^a | Picco, Louisa^a | Sagayadevan, Vathsala^a | Sambasivam, Rajeswari^a | Seng, Kok Han^e | Seow, Esmond^a | Shafie, Saleha^a | Shahwan, Shazana^a | Tan, Lay Ling^h | Yap, Mabel^d | Zhang, YunJue^a | Ng, Li Ling^{h; 2} | Prince, Martin^{i; 2}

Affiliations: [a] Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore | [b] Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore | [c] Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore | [d] Ministry of Health, Singapore, Singapore | [e] Department of Geriatric Psychiatry, Institute of Mental Health, Singapore, Singapore | [f] Raffles Medical Group, Singapore, Singapore | [g] National University Health System, Singapore, Singapore | [h] Changi General Hospital, Singapore, Singapore | [i] King's College London, UK

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Mythily Subramaniam, Director, Research Division, Institute of Mental Health, Buangkok Green Medical Park, 10 Buangkok View, 539747 Singapore, Singapore. Tel.: +65 6389 3633; Fax: +65 6343 7962; E-mail: Mythily@imh.com.sg.

Note: [1] These authors contributed equally to this work.

Note: [2] These authors have contributed equally as senior authors.

Abstract: Background:The challenge of an aging population with its expected attendant problem of an increase in the number of people with dementia is a growing concern across the world. Objective:The aims of this study were to establish the prevalence and risk factors of dementia in Singapore among the elderly resident population (aged 60 years and above). Methods:The WiSE study was a comprehensive single phase, cross-sectional, epidemiological survey that adapted the 10/66 protocol to establish the 10/66 and the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of mental disorders –fourth edition (DSM-IV) diagnosis of dementia. 10/66 and DSM-IV dementia diagnosis as established by the survey questionnaires was validated by comparing against a gold standard of clinical assessment. Results:A total of 2,565 respondents completed the study giving a response rate of 65.6%. The validity of 10/66 dementia was higher (sensitivity = 95.6%, specificity = 81.8%) than that of DSM-IV dementia (sensitivity = 75.6%, specificity = 88.6%) when compared against the clinical gold standard. The study found that the prevalence of 10/66 dementia was 10% in the older adult population while the prevalence of DSM-IV dementia was 4.6%. Older age (75 years and above); no formal education, or completed primary education (versus higher education); homemaker and retired status (versus employed); and a history of stroke were associated with a higher risk of 10/66 dementia. Conclusion:The establishment of accurate data on the number of people with dementia is essential in the planning of services and initiatives.

Keywords: 10/66, dementia, DSM-IV, multi-ethnic, prevalence, Singapore

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-142769

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 45, no. 4, pp. 1127-1138, 2015