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Early onset dementia – a catchment area study of prevalence and clinical characteristics

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Aideen Freyne ,
Nick Kidd  and
Brian A Lawlor
Aideen Freyne
Affiliation:
Department of Old Age Psychiatry Carew House, St Vincent's Hospital, Elm Park, Dublin 4, Ireland
Nick Kidd
Affiliation:
St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
Brian A Lawlor
Affiliation:
Consultant Psychiatrist, Dept of Psychiatry of the Elderly, St. Patrick's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland
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Abstract

Objectives: To identify the number of cases, and hence the prevalence of, early onset dementia within a defined catchment area in Dublin. To identify the associated clinical characteristics of those identified, and to measure service use and carer burden.

Method: A comprehensive case finding study was carried out, and all those identified were contacted and sufferers and carers were interviewed using both standardised and semi-structured questionnaires.

Results: Twelve cases were identified, yielding a prevalence rate of 45/100,000 in the 45-64 year age group. Sufferers exhibited a high level of cognitive impairment and associated psychiatric and behavioural symptoms, and carers exhibited a high level of stress, especially those still actively caring. Service provision for this group was patchy and did not tally with their level of dependency.

Conclusions: Recommendations are made for appropriate provision of services for dementia sufferers, regardless of age.

Keywords

Early onset dementiaPrevalenceService provisionCarers
Type
Original Papers
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 15 , Issue 3 , September 1998 , pp. 87 - 91
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1998

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