Twice more cases of dementia in Europe in 30 years … These estimates come from the work of the non-governmental organization Alzheimer Europe. This is a collaborative analysis, including 16 studies carried out since 2013, the results of which have been compared to a series of research conducted in Europe since the early 1980s on the subject of dementia. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common condition.
A decreasing prevalence…
First, good news: research shows that the prevalence, the number of old or recent cases of the disease at any given time, was much lower than previously forecast. In men, over the past 10 years, this reduction in prevalence has affected all ages. Among women, twice as affected by dementia as men, there is also a marked decrease, except in the 75–79 age group.
Overall, just over 7,850,000 people suffer from dementia in the 27 countries of the European Union (and more than 9,780,000 if we include neighboring countries such as Switzerland, Bosnia and Herzegovina or Turkey). About 1 million fewer cases compared to previous estimates.
How to explain this decrease? “Healthier lifestyles, better education and better control of cardiovascular risk factors appear to have contributed to a reduction in the prevalence of dementia,” says Jean Georges, executive director of Alzheimer Europe.
… But worrying prospects
But behind this good news lies worrying prospects: Alzheimer Europe has applied its prevalence estimates for each country, admitting that they will not change in the years to come. Result: the total number of people with dementia in an enlarged Europe would increase to more than 11 million by 2025, and to almost 19 million by 2050. Alzheimer Europe does not explain this almost double of cases by 2050, but the aging of the European population seems to be largely involved.
The executive director of Alzheimer Europe says it is therefore urgent that governments ensure “that their health and care systems are ready to meet this demand.” He further believes that “greater investment in research into the treatment and prevention of dementia is needed.” “
Note: In France, 1,227,558 people suffered from dementia in 2018.
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Source: Destination Santé
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