Scientists analyzed all data on the prevalence of dementia among people aged 30-64. Their study was published in JAMA Neurology.
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Dementia is called early when it develops in people under 65. Its onset affects all aspects of a person's life, including family relationships and work. However, diagnosis of the condition is often delayed: early-onset dementia can be diagnosed 2-6 years after symptoms appear. This is because it is generally considered a disease of old people, and the suspicion of its occurrence in young people is low.
According to the charity Dementia UK, early-onset dementia is associated with:
- high probability of rare forms of dementia that affect behavior and social life;
- frequent familial cases of dementia;
- difficulties at work for both the patient and his partner;
- serious financial difficulties, associated, for example, with loans and children;
- the patient having a younger and more dependent family;
- strong psychological pressure on family members.
Scientists from the Netherlands analyzed data from 95 studies that covered more than 2.7 million patients. The studies included information on different types of dementia: frontotemporal, vascular, Alzheimer's disease and others.
According to their calculations, the prevalence of dementia in people aged 30-64 is 119 per 100 thousand people. This means that about 3.9 million people are currently living with early-onset dementia.
The prevalence differed in age subgroups: among people aged 30-34 – 1.1 per 100 thousand, 60-64 years – 74 per 100 thousand. The risk of early-onset dementia is approximately the same for men and women.
The scientists noted that the data they received was higher than previously expected. However, they believe that the new figures are also an underestimate due to a lack of high-quality studies. In their opinion, clear data should help improve care for people suffering from early dementia.