Epidemiology of 
Alzheimer's Disease

Keimyung Medical Journal 1997;16(3):306-322.

Epidemiology of Alzheimer's Disease

Alzheimer병의 역학

조맹제; 함봉진

Abstract

Alzheimer's disease(AD) is emerging as a major trouble for the patients and their families as well as community. Epidemiology of AD is the study of the distribution of AD and those factors that influence this distribution. Several findings were derived from reviewing the various epidemiologic studies of AD. Prevalence estimates of AD rise exponentially with age. Typical estimates for the age groups 60-69 years, 70-79 years, and 80-89 years are about 0.5%, 3%, and 10%, respectively. All studies showed an exponentially increase in the incidence rate with age and several studies found that the proportion of incident dementias is attributable to AD increased with age. Except for age and family history of dementia, no definite risk factors for AD have yet been proven. Survival of AD patients is worse in early-onset cases and in men, and it appears to be related to the initial severity of the disease. Improvement of prognosis through intervention has been unsuccessful until now. It was shown that methodological variables such as definition of dementia, the design of the study, the characteristics of the sample and methods of assessment and diagnosis might have a significant effect on the results. New epidemiologic approaches to AD should be well designed prospective follow-up studies to provide more accurate information. Epidemiologic studies combined with pathophysiologic findings could be helpful in improvement of prevention and treatment of the AD.

Key Words: Alzheimer's Disease, Dementia, Epidemiology