PREVALENCE OF ALZHEIMERS-DISEASE AND OTHER DEMENTING DISORDERS - ASSIUT UPPER EGYPT STUDY

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence rate of Alzheime r's disease (AD) and other types of dementias among the population ove r the age of 60 years in Assiut governorate, A 3-phase cross-sectional population-based study was carried out to screen 2,000 subjects resid ing in 11 different locations representing the sociocultural status of the area. We subjected each proband to a modified form of the Mini Me ntal State Examination test. Subjects scored 21 or less were investiga ted according to a standardized protocol. We found 90 demented subject s yielding a crude prevalence ratio (case per 100 population over the age of 60) of 4.5, A diagnosis of subtypes of dementia was reached in 83 cases. Prevalence ratios for dementia subtypes were 2.2 for AD, 0.9 5 for multi-infarct dementia, 0.55 for mixed dementias and 0.45 for se condary dementias. Age-specific prevalence tends to be doubled every 5 years. Occupation, level of education and residence did not affect th e prevalence or severity of dementia. Comparison with other studies su ggests that dementia of all types is as frequent in Assiut governorate as elsewhere.