There has been a clear fall in rates of dementia in the UK over the last two decades, researchers say today.
New figures gathered by the Medical Research Council show substantially lower dementia rates than expected in the UK. Rates in the 65 and over age group have fallen, with consequences for dementia policies and healthcare services.
Overall, the dementia rate has fallen by 1.8% to about 6.5% of the population, corresponding to approximately 670,000 people over the age of 65. This is 20% lower than would have been expected based on figures from 20 years ago.
Rates remain higher in women than men, and rates among people living in care homes have risen from 56% to 70% over 20 years.
The figures come from three geographical areas in Newcastle, Nottingham and Cambridgeshire. Dementia rates vary by deprivation level, so Professor Carol Brayne of Cambridge University, UK, and colleagues believe that health inequalities during a person’s lifetime are likely to affect dementia risk.
"This study provides compelling evidence of a reduction in the prevalence of dementia in the older population over two decades," said Professor Brayne. "Whether or not these gains for the current older population will be borne out in later generations would seem to depend on whether further improvements in primary prevention and effective health care for conditions which increase dementia risk can be achieved, including addressing inequalities."
The study was published in The Lancet.
Professor Hugh Perry of the Medical Research Council commented: "We can’t assume that this reduction will be seen in future studies, therefore the need for us to find ways of preventing and treating dementia is as urgent as ever."
Matthews, F. E. et al. A two-decade comparison of prevalence of dementia in individuals aged 65 years and older from three geographical areas of England: results of the Cognitive Function and Ageing Study I and II. The Lancet 16 July 2013 doi: 10.1016/S0140-6736(13)61570-6
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