The prevalence and causes of dementia in people under the age of 65 years

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of dementia in people under the age of 65 in a large catchment area, and use these figures to estimate the number of younger people affected by dementia in the UK. Design: Epidemiological catchment area prevalence survey. Setting: The London boroughs of Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, and Hillingdon with a total population of 567 500 people. Participants: All residents of the catchment area with dementia, where the illness began before the age of 65 years. Participants were notified to the study by medical and care professionals. The diagnosis and age of onset was established from all available health and social care records. In total, 227 people were identified, of whom 185 fulfilled the inclusion criteria of having a dementia which started before their 65th birthday. Main outcome measures: Diagnosis of dementia and differential diagnosis of the cause of the dementia. Results: The prevalence of dementia in those aged 30-64 was 54.0 per 100 000 (95% CI 45.1 to 64.1 per 100 000). For those aged 45-64 years, the prevalence was 98.1 per 100 000 (95% CI 81.1 to 118.0 per 100 000). From the age of 35 onwards, the prevalence of dementia approximately doubled with each 5 year increase in age. Extrapolating these figures nationally suggests that there are 18 319 (15 296-21 758) people with dementia under the age of 65 in the UK. Conclusions: The study confirms previous "guestimates" of the number of younger people affected by dementia in UK. The prevalence figures generated are robust, and are supported by other smaller and targeted prevalence surveys. The prevalence figures provided by this study will allow health planners to accurately estimate need and plan services.

Prevalence of presenile dementia in a tertiary outpatient clinic

“…The prevalence of presenile dementia is lower that ones with onset in the elderly. Harvey et al 4 reported that the prevalence increases exponentially between 45 to 60 years of age; this finding was replicated by another three epidemiological studies [5][6][7] . The most frequent diagnosis in early onset dementia is:…”

“To be, or not to be”: experiencing deterioration among people with young-onset dementia living alone

“…The disease inflicts the person’s identity, threatens their self-image and self-confidence, and erodes plans for the future. Cognition will gradually decline among people with dementia (Harvey, Skelton-Robinson, & Rossor, 2003; Koedam et al, 2008; Luscombe, Brodaty, & Freeth, 1998), and the abilities to take care of daily activities and themselves, and to localize and move around on their own will deteriorate. The development of YOD and receiving the dementia diagnosis are reasonably followed by anxiety, turmoil, depression (Haugen, 2012; Johannessen & Möller, 2013), reduced quality of life and increased problems in everyday life in relation to work, friends and family (Spreadbury & Kipps, 2017).…”

“…Behaviour will change, and behavioural changes are more frequent in YOD than in people with late-onset dementia (LOD; van Vliet et al, 2012). Usually, people with YOD are diagnosed at a later stage of the disease compared to people with LOD (Harvey et al, 2003; Koedam et al, 2008; Luscombe et al, 1998). In Norway, studies indicate that about 50% of people with dementia who receive homecare services have not been diagnosed with dementia.…”

Differences in neuropsychiatric symptoms between nursing home residents with young-onset dementia and late-onset dementia

“…Increased severity of dementia has been linked to more NPS (such as agitation, aggression, and apathy) in NH residents with YOD and LOD (Mulders et al, 2016;Zuidema, de Jonghe, Verhey, & Koopmans, 2009). In addition, frontotemporal dementia (FTD) is more common in YOD; higher levels of agitation, disinhibition, and irritability are found in people with FTD than in those with AD, at least in the community-dwelling population (de Vugt et al, 2006;Harvey, Skeleton-Robinson, & Rossor, 2003;Mulders et al, 2014;Ratnavalli, Brayne, Dawson, & Hodges, 2002).…”