The incidence of dementia in an Australian community population: the Sydney Older Persons Study

Objectives Limited Australian dementia incidence data are available. This s tudy aimed to identify the incidence of dementia and its subtypes in an Aus tralian community dwelling population. Method A community dwelling sample of 647 subjects aged greater than or equ al to 75 years at recruitment were followed for a mean period of 3.2 years (range 2.6-4.5 years). The incidence of dementia (measured in person years at risk) was identified for different levels of severity of dementia, Alzhe imer's disease and vascular dementia. Results Incidence figures were slightly higher than those previously report ed. The incidence of dementia and of Alzheimer's disease increased with age but was not affected by gender. The incidence of vascular dementia was not affected by age. Conclusion This study provides the largest body of data on the incidence of dementia in Australia. indicating a slightly higher incidence of dementia than previous reports. Further Australian data are required to confirm thes e findings. Copyright (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.