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International Psychogeriatrics International Psychogeriatrics

Article contents

Dementia time to death: a systematic literature review on survival time and years of life lost in people with dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 February 2012

Henry Brodaty ,
Katrin Seeher  and
Louisa Gibson
Henry Brodaty*
Affiliation:
Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia Academic Department for Old Age Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
Katrin Seeher
Affiliation:
Dementia Collaborative Research Centre, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia Academic Department for Old Age Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
Louisa Gibson
Affiliation:
Academic Department for Old Age Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, Randwick, NSW, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Professor Henry Brodaty, Academic Department for Old Age Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, Euroa Centre, Avoca Street, Gate 6, Randwick, NSW 2031, Australia. Phone: +61-2-9382-3759; Fax: +61-2-9382-3762. Email: h.brodaty@unsw.edu.au.
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Abstract

Background: Life expectancy with dementia directly influences rates of prevalence and service needs and is a common question posed by families and patients. As well as years of survival, it is useful to consider years of life lost after a diagnosis of dementia.

Methods: We systematically reviewed the literature on mortality and survival with dementia which were compared to estimated life expectancies in the general population. Both were then compared by age (under 65 years vs. 65+ years), gender, dementia type, severity, and two epochs (prior to and after introduction of cholinesterase inhibitors in 1997).

Results: Survival after a diagnosis of dementia varies considerably and depends on numerous factors and their complex interaction. Relative loss of life expectancy decreases with age at diagnosis across varying gender, dementia subtypes (except for frontotemporal dementia and dementia with Lewy bodies), and severity stages. Numerous study deficiencies precluded a meta-analysis of survival in dementia.

Conclusion: Estimates of years of life lost through dementia may be helpful for patients and their families. Recommendations for future research methods are proposed.

Keywords

dementiasurvivalmortalitydeathlife expectancyAlzheimer's disease
Type
Review Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 24 , Issue 7 , July 2012 , pp. 1034 - 1045
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2012

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