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J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2003;74:720-724 doi:10.1136/jnnp.74.6.720
  • Paper

Dementia with Lewy bodies according to the consensus criteria in a general population aged 75 years or older

  1. T Rahkonen1,
  2. U Eloniemi-Sulkava1,
  3. S Rissanen2,
  4. A Vatanen1,
  5. P Viramo1,
  6. R Sulkava1
  1. 1Division of Geriatrics, Department of Public Health and General Practice, University of Kuopio, Finland
  2. 2Academy of Finland, Department of Health Policy and Management, University of Kuopio
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr Terhi Rahkonen, Division of Geriatrics, Department of Public Health and General Practice, University of Kuopio, PO Box 1627, 70211 Kuopio, Finland; 
 terhi.rahkonen{at}uku.fi
  • Received 19 August 2002
  • Accepted 15 January 2003
  • Revised 14 January 2003

Abstract

Objective: To estimate the prevalence of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) according to the consensus criteria in a general population aged 75 years or older.

Methods: The “Kuopio 75+ study” is a population based health survey focused on the clinical epidemiology of dementia and functional capacity among elderly subjects aged 75 years or older. On 1 January 1998, a random sample of 700 subjects was drawn from a total population born before 1 January 1923, living in the city of Kuopio, northeast Finland (n = 4518). The study subjects underwent a structured interview and clinical examination.

Results: 601 elderly subjects (86% of the random sample) were examined. A dementia disorder was diagnosed in 137—a prevalence of 22.8% (95% confidence interval 19.4% to 26.2%). The prevalence of DLB was 5.0% (3.2% to 6.7%), comprising 22% of all demented subjects. Probable DLB was diagnosed in 20 subjects (3.3% (1.9% to 4.8%)), and possible DLB in 10 (1.7% (0.6% to 2.7%)). The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease was 10.6% (47% of all demented subjects), of vascular dementia, 5.3% (23%), and of other types of dementing disorders, 1.8% (8%).

Conclusions: In a general population aged 75 years and older, the prevalence of a disorder fulfilling the diagnostic criteria of DLB is half that of Alzheimer’s disease and the same as for vascular dementia.

Footnotes

  • See Editorial Commentary, 697–698

  • Competing interests: none declared

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