Prevalence of Dementia and Main Subtypes in Mexico: The Study on Aging and Dementia in Mexico (SADEM)

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Juarez-Cedillo, Teresa^{a; b; *} | Gonzelez-Figueroa, Evangelina^b | Gutierez-Gutierez, Lidia^c | Aguilar-Navarro, Sara G.^d | Garcia-Cruz, Juan Carlos^e | Escobedo de la Peña, Jorge^b | Suerna-Hernandez, Alan^f

Affiliations: [a] Unidad de Investigación Epidemiológica y en Servicios de Salud, Área de Envejecimiento, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico | [b] Unidad de Investigación en Epidemiología Clínica, Hospital General Regional No 1 Carlos Mcgregor Sánchez Navarro, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico | [c] Department of Neurology and Psychiatry, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico | [d] Geriatrics & Neurology Fellowship, and Department of Geriatric Medicine, Instituto Nacional de Ciencias Médicas y Nutrición Salvador Zubirán, Mexico City, Mexico | [e] Unidad de Atención Geriatrica Hospitalaria, División de Calidad, Hospital de Especialidades, Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Mexico City, Mexico | [f] Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico City, Mexico

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Teresa Juárez Cedillo, PhD, Unidad de Investigación en Epidemiología Clínica, Hospital General Regional No 1 Doctor Carlos Mac Gregor Sánchez Navarro, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Gabriel Mancera 222, Col del Valle Nte, 03103 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico. Tel.: +52 50875871; E-mail: terezillo@exalumno.unam.mx.

Abstract: Background:Dementia is a priority public health issue due to its high prevalence worldwide and its economic, social, and health impact. However, there are few reports in Mexico based on formal tests and with a clinical approach based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5). Objective:This study estimates the prevalence of the main types of dementia among elderly people living in the community in Mexico City. Methods:A population-based, two-step study was conducted, including 6,204 elderly individuals aged 60 or above with in-home assessment. All participants were screened for cognitive impairment; those who presented some cognitive problem underwent a standardized neurological examination. Each diagnosis was based on the criteria for dementia in the DSM-5, and the final consensus diagnosis of dementia was determined by an expert panel. Results:The global estimated prevalence of dementia in the Mexican population was 7.8% met the criteria for Alzheimer’s disease, 4.3% for vascular dementia, and 2.1% for mixed dementia. The prevalence of dementia was higher in women than in men (15.3% versus 12.5%, respectively). Conclusion:These results provide evidence to propose strategies for Latin American countries where dementia represents a challenge due to the heterogeneity of the populations and socioeconomic disparities, requiring early diagnosis and at the first levels of care.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, elderly people, Mexican people, prevalence, SADEM

DOI: 10.3233/JAD-220012

Journal: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, vol. 89, no. 3, pp. 931-941, 2022