Etiological Classification and Epidemiology of Dementia.
- Author:
Jonghan PARK
1
;
Sung Wan CHO
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, Catholic University of Taegu-Hyosung School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Causality;
Dementia;
Epidemiology
- MeSH:
Aged;
Appetite;
Classification*;
Craniocerebral Trauma;
Dementia*;
Depression;
Early Diagnosis;
Education;
Epidemiology*;
Female;
Humans;
Incidence;
Mortality;
Prevalence;
Reflex;
Risk Factors;
Sexual Behavior;
Social Class;
Wandering Behavior
- From:Journal of Korean Geriatric Psychiatry
1997;1(1):16-22
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
Etiological classification of a syndrome is most warranted. However, it is very difficult in the case of dementia because many research activities are still being made about the cause of degenerative dementias. In the current paper, clinical aspects and pathological findings were also con-sidered in the etiological classification. Prevalence and annual incidence of dementia are 5-15% and 1.5-2.0% in the elderly over 65, respectively. Old age, female sex, genetic background, lower education, ethnicity or geographical difference, and head trauma seem to be risk factors for developing dementia. Urinary and fecal incontinece, extrapyramidal symptoms, primitive reflexes, psychotic symptoms, and cognitive decline seem to adversely affect on the mortality, while social class, age at onset, depressive symptoms, aggressive behavior, wandering, increased appetite, increased sexual behaviors, and early diagnosis do not.
