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

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.

Neurological letter from Mexico

“…The two major causes of neurological disability in Mexico are stroke and dementia 2 3. Stroke is the fourth most common cause of mortality among Mexican women 4.…”

Health and Social Care System Preparedness for Dementia Care in Mexico: Current Status and Recommendations to Achieve Optimal Care

“…The latest reported estimates from the SADEM study of the prevalence of dementia in Mexico City are 7.8% for Alzheimer’s disease, 4.3% for vascular dementia, 2.1% for mixed dementia and a global dementia prevalence of 14% (15.3% and 12.5%, in women and men respectively) (Juarez-Cedillo, 2022). Previous studies report dementia prevalence ranges from 5.2% in 2011 using the MHAS (Mejía-Arango et al, 2011) to 7.9% in the year 2012 in the ENSANUT study (Manrique Espinoza et al, 2013).…”

Cognitive life expectancy by educational attainment in Mexican adults aged 60 and older

“… 8 A study of 6 204 adults aged 60 and older living in Mexico City reported that the prevalence of dementia in 2017-2018 was 14.2%. 9 As a comparison, previous research using data from the Mexican Health and Aging Study (MHAS) estimated that the prevalence of dementia and cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND) among older adults in Mexico in 2001 was 6.1 and 28.7%, respectively. 10 …”