Incidence of dementia in the elderly: review of age and sex effects

Abstract

A review of epidemiological studies about incidence of dementia among the aged is presented. Empirical studies on incidence of dementia have shown considerably differing estimations. Nevertheless, in all studies, an age-related increase in incidence becomes clearly apparent. Epidemiological field-studies could not yield consistent findings concerning the association of incidence and gender. However, most studies found an increased incidence for men until the age of 70-80 years. In older age most studies reported the same incidence for men and women or found an increased incidence of dementia in women. The findings are reviewed and discussed in the context of methodological issues.