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High prevalence of dementia among older adults from poor socioeconomic backgrounds in São Paulo, Brazil

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 June 2007

Marcia Scazufca ,
Paulo R. Menezes ,
Homero P. Vallada ,
André L. Crepaldi ,
Maria Pastor-Valero ,
Letícia M. S. Coutinho ,
Vanessa D. Di Rienzo  and
Osvaldo P. Almeida
Marcia Scazufca*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo Medical School, and Section of Epidemiology, University Hospital, University of São Paulo, Brazil
Paulo R. Menezes
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine, University of São Paulo Medical School, and Section of Epidemiology, University Hospital, University of São Paulo, Brazil
Homero P. Vallada
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo Medical School, Brazil
André L. Crepaldi
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo Medical School, and Section of Epidemiology, University Hospital, University of São Paulo, Brazil
Maria Pastor-Valero
Affiliation:
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Distance Learning Program Unit, London, U.K.
Letícia M. S. Coutinho
Affiliation:
Department of Preventive Medicine, University of São Paulo Medical School, and Section of Epidemiology, University Hospital, University of São Paulo, Brazil
Vanessa D. Di Rienzo
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of São Paulo Medical School, and Section of Epidemiology, University Hospital, University of São Paulo, Brazil
Osvaldo P. Almeida
Affiliation:
Western Australian Centre for Health and Ageing, University of Western Australia and Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Marcia Scazufca, Nucleo de Epidemiologia, Hospital Universitario, Universidade de São Paulo. Av. Prof. Lineu Prestes, 2565, CEP 05508-900, Brazil. Phone: + 55 11 30399241. Email: scazufca@usp.br.
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Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dementia in a socioeconomically disadvantaged population of older adults living in the city of São Paulo, Brazil.

Methods: A cross-sectional one-phase population-based study was carried out among all residents aged ≥ 65 in defined census sectors of an economically disadvantaged area of São Paulo. Identification of cases of dementia followed the protocol developed by the 10/66 Dementia Research Group.

Results: Of 2072 individuals in the study, 105 met the criteria for a diagnosis of dementia, yielding a prevalence of 5.1%. Prevalence increased with age for both men and women after age 75 years, but was stable from 65 to 74 years. Low education and income were associated with increased risk of dementia.

Conclusions: The prevalence of dementia among older adults from low socioeconomic backgrounds is high. This may be partly due to adverse socioeconomic conditions and consequent failure to compress morbidity into the latter stages of life. The increasing survival of poorer older adults with dementia living in developing countries may lead to a rapid increase in the prevalence of dementia worldwide.

Keywords

epidemiologydementiacognitive impairmentprevalenceagingdeveloping countries
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 20 , Issue 2 , April 2008 , pp. 394 - 405
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2007

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