Prevalence, Resource Utilization and Costs of Vascular Dementia Compared to Alzheimer’s Dementia in a Population Setting

Vol. 19, No. 5-6, 2005

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Original Research Article

Prevalence, Resource Utilization and Costs of Vascular Dementia Compared to Alzheimer's Dementia in a Population Setting
A. Sicras^a, J. Rejas^b, S. Arco^c, E. Flores^d, G. Ortega^e, A. Esparcia^e, A. Suárez^c, M.J. Gordillo^d

^aBadalona Serveis Assistencials SL, Badalona, Barcelona,
^bHealth Outcomes Research, Medical Unit, Pfizer SA, Alcobendas, Madrid,
^cPrimary Care Health Center Apenins-Montigalà, Badalona, Barcelona,
^dPrimary Care Health Center Morera-Pomar, Badalona, Barcelona, and
^ePrimary Care Health Center Tiana-Montgat, Montgat, Barcelona, Spain

Address of Corresponding Author

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2005;19:305-315 (DOI: 10.1159/000084556)

Key Words

Prevalence of dementia
Vascular dementia
Resource utilization
Cost study
Alzheimer's dementia

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of dementia and to measure the monetary impact and health resources utilization of vascular dementia (VD) compared to Alzheimer's dementia (AD) in persons aged over 64 years in a population setting. Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional study. In the initial phase, information was obtained on specific clinical characteristics from the subjects with an active diagnosis of dementia. The second phase consisted of a clinical evaluation and validation of the cases. Mini-Mental State Examination was used to assess cognitive impairment. Dementia and its subtypes were determined using established diagnostic criteria. Information was obtained on the use of health care resources (direct costs) and the number of hours devoted by the primary caregiver (indirect costs) for patients with a documented diagnosis of AD or VD within the last 6 months prior to the interview. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to correct the model. Results: A total of 6,004 subjects were analyzed, 258 with diagnosis of dementia (overall prevalence: 4.3%). An evaluation was made of 224 patients, and gross prevalence of AD and VD was 2.4 and 1.0%, respectively. Cost per patient per semester was EUR 8,086 for AD and EUR 11,039 for VD (p = 0.016). 85.5% of the cost was attributable to primary caregiver time in AD and 84.4% in VD. Conclusions: The prevalence of AD and VD increases with age. No sociodemographic differences were seen between AD and VD. Costs associated with health care resource and primary caregiver utilization were high, being higher in VD than in AD.

Author Contacts

Dr. Javier Rejas Gutiérrez
Health Outcomes Research, Medical Unit, Pfizer SA
Avenida de Europa, 20-B, Parque Empresarial de la Moraleja
ES-28108 Alcobendas, Madrid (Spain)
Tel. +34 91 4909957, Fax +34 91 4909705, E-Mail javier.rejas@pfizer.com

Article Information

Accepted: November 1, 2004
Published online: March 22, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 11
Number of Figures : 2, Number of Tables : 5, Number of References : 50

Medline Abstract (ID 15785031)

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