Survival in Early Onset Dementia: Effects of Urbanization and Socio-Economic Deprivation

Vol. 16, No. 3, 1997

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Original Paper

Survival in Early Onset Dementia: Effects of Urbanization and Socio-Economic Deprivation
Brenda M. Thomas^a, Gerard McGonigal^b, Cecilia A. McQuade^a, John M. Starr^b, Lawrence J. Whalley^a

^a Department of Mental Health, University of Aberdeen,
^b Department of Geriatric Medicine, University of Edinburgh, UK

Address of Corresponding Author

Neuroepidemiology 1997;16:134-140 (DOI: 10.1159/000109682)

Key Words

Early onset dementia
Alzheimer's disease
Vascular dementia
Survival analysis
Socio-economic deprivation

Abstract

We estimated survival of patients with early onset Alzheimer's disease (AD) or vascular dementia (VaD) presenting to psychiatric hospitals in Scotland (1974-1988) and related this to age, gender and socio-economic variables. Hospital records of 1794 early onset dementia patients were reviewed. We identified 451 patients with early onset AD and 384 with VaD. Survival to death was calculated from symptom onset and presentation. Small geographical areas (postcode sectors) were classified by urban/rural category and deprivation score. Five-year survival from presentation of early onset AD was 32% for men and 43% for women compared to 22% for men and 36% for women with VaD. We conclude that increased age at presentation was associated with shorter survival in early onset AD and VaD. Socio-economic deprivation was associated with longer survival in VaD. The effects of urban/rural score were accounted for by the major effects of socio-economic deprivation.

Author Contacts

Dr. J. M. Starr, Senior Lecturer in Geriatric Medicine, Royal Victoria Hospital, Craigleith Road, Edinburgh EH4 2DN (UK), Tel. 0131 537 5000, Fax: 0131 537 5140

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