Dementia is an overall term that covers a range of conditions, with the most prevalent type being Alzheimer's disease. The most common symptom associated with the condition is loss of memory and difficulty expressing and understanding thoughts leading to confusion. Other symptoms can include changes in mood, control of emotions, behavior, or motivation, sometimes these symptoms precede the onset of the declining cognitive functions affected by dementia. While dementia and Alzheimer’s disease mainly affect older people, it is important to remark that it is not a normal or inevitable part of the aging process. While there is no known underlying cause of dementia, health experts report that leading a healthy lifestyle prevents some of the risk factors that have been associated with dementia such as lack of exercise, smoking, and high blood pressure.
Dementia more common among women
In 2019, the
incidence of dementia in Europe was approximately 188 per 100,000 population. Over the last few decades, the annual incidence of dementia has increased as the population in Europe grows older. Furthermore, dementia is
more common among women compared to men by around double. The main reason for this also is that women have a higher life expectancy than men. In terms of mortality, in a year
dementia caused the deaths of around 63 people per 100,000 in the United Kingdom. In countries such as Italy, Spain, and Greece it was forecast that around four percent of their populations will be
living with dementia by 2050.
Morbidity due to dementia
Latvia had the highest number of
potential years of life lost (PYLL) due to dementia across selected European countries at approximately 21 per 100,000 population. PYLL in Latvia affected men slightly worse than women, in contrast to women having a higher incidence of the condition. Across the whole of Europe, it was reported that
years lived with disability (YLD) amounted to over 200 per 100,000 population. As populations continue to age in Europe the problem of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease will become even more critical. Although
health policies that focus on things such as early detection and diagnosis and improved access to medical care will help to improve dementia outcomes and improve the quality of life for sufferers.
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