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Population-based study of the prevalence and presentation of dementia in adults with Down's syndrome

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 January 2018

Anthony J. Holland ,
Johnny Hon ,
Felicia A. Huppert ,
Fran Stevens  and
Peter Watson
Anthony J. Holland*
Affiliation:
Section of Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge
Johnny Hon
Affiliation:
Section of Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge
Felicia A. Huppert
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge
Fran Stevens
Affiliation:
Section of Developmental Psychiatry, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge
Peter Watson
Affiliation:
Applied Psychology Unit, Cambridge
*
A.J. Holland. Section of Developmental Psychiatry, 18b Trumpington Road, Cambridge CB2 2AH
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Abstract

Background

The reported prevalence rates of dementia in people with Down's syndrome have varied considerably across studies. The aim of this study was to investigate the extent of clinical change with age using an established diagnostic instrument in an unbiased, population-based sample of older people with Down's syndrome.

Method

Changes in memory, personality, general mental functioning and daily living skills were assessed using a modified version of the informant interview of the Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders of the Elderly (CAMDEX).

Results

Age-specific prevalence rates of dementia varied according to the diagnostic criteria used. Using CAMDEX criteria for Alzheimer's disease, prevalence rates increased from 3.4 to 10.3 to 40% in the 30–39, 40–49 and 50–59 age group, respectively.

Conclusions

Overall, the age-related pattern of presentation and dementia diagnoses differs from that seen in the general elderly population. However, age-specific prevalence rates of Alzheimer's disease were similar but 30–40 years earlier in life.

Type
Papers
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 172 , Issue 6 , June 1998 , pp. 493 - 498
Copyright
Copyright © 1998 The Royal College of Psychiatrists 

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