Prevalence of dementia among over 80 population in Oviedo.

We have investigated the prevalence of dementia among the over 80 populatio n of age in the city of Oviedo, Spain, by means of a two-stage study. Durin g the first stage we have used CAMCOG (cognitive examination included in th e CAMDEX interview) as a screening instrument. During the second stage, a d etailed clinical evaluation has been carried out in order to confirm or not the dementia diagnosis according to the DSM-III-R criteria. Out the select ed population (n=201), we have managed to evaluate 76 people. The global pr evalence of dementia obtained was 19.7%. The prevalence of Alzheimer's dise ase and vascular dementia were 15.8% and 2.6% respectively. A statistically significant correlation between developing Alzheimer's disease and the pre cedents of dementia among frist-degree realtives has been observed. Our fig ures of the prevalence of dementia are similar to those reported in other E uropean studies.