Epidemiological Study of Dementia in a Korea Urban Area.
- Author:
Dong Il KWAK
1
;
Yun Kyeung CHOI
;
In Kwa JUNG
;
Min Soo LEE
Author Information
1. Department of Psychiatry, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Elderly;
Epidemiology;
Dementia
- MeSH:
Aged;
Cardiovascular Diseases;
Caregivers;
Craniocerebral Trauma;
Dementia*;
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders;
Education;
Epidemiologic Studies*;
Epidemiology;
Gyeonggi-do;
Humans;
Korea*;
Mental Health;
Prevalence;
Risk Factors;
Sex Characteristics;
Smoke;
Smoking
- From:Journal of Korean Geriatric Psychiatry
1999;3(1):44-52
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
OBJECTIVE: Dementia is major neuropsychiatic disorder in the elderly. This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of dementia and provide fundamental data for community mental health programs. METHOD: 500 elderly people aged 65 years and over in Kwachon were interviewed according to DSM-IV and examined MMSE-K, Korea-Dementia Rating Scale (K-DRS), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), Modified Hatchinski Ischemic Scale (MHIS) by trained research assistants. RESULTS: Prevalence of dementia is 10.6% (Alzheimer type 8.0%;vascular type 2.6%). Old age, lower education, cardiovascular disease, head trauma and heavy smoking seem to be risk factors for developing dementia but sex difference is non significant. CONCLUSION: The results showed similar prevalence rates compared to other epidemiological studies. Demented group showed more cognitive disturbances than non-demented one. For patients of dementia, appropriate treatment and management by family members, other caregivers and mental health professionals are needed.
