[Prevalence of dementia in Tuscany: results from four population-based epidemiological studies].
OBJECTIVE
to provide information on epidemiology of dementia in Tuscany needed to plan for dedicated health and social services.


METHODS
analysis of pooled baseline data from 4 population-based longitudinal studies.


METHODS
4 municipalities in Tuscany.


METHODS
4,056 elderly subjects enrolled in 4 longitudinal studies.


METHODS
age- and sex-specific dementia prevalence rates and estimated number of demented people, by degree of cognitive impairment and BADL disability in the elderly population of Tuscany.


RESULTS
out of the evaluated subjects, 293 are demented. Prevalence of dementia increases from about 1 % in the 65-69 age group to about 28 % in the 90+ age group both among women and men. About 43% of the demented study subjects suffer from severe mental deterioration (MMSE < 14) and56% are disabled in at least one Basic Activity of Daily Living (BADL). We estimate that about 19 thousand demented elderly men and 40 thousand demented elderly women are currently living in Tuscany of whom 26 thousand severely mentally impaired and 34 thousand disabled in at least one BADL. The resulting overall dementia prevalence standardised on the Italian 65+ population is 5,3% for men and 7,7% for women.


CONCLUSIONS
these estimates could be used as a basis for the evaluation and the planning of social and health care services dedicated to demented people.
Francesconi
Paolo
P
Agenzia regionale di sanità della Toscana, Firenze. paolo.francesconi@arsanita.toscana.it
Roti
Lorenzo
L
Casotto
Veronica
V
Lauretani
Fulvio
F
Lamponi
Marco
M
Bandinelli
Stefania
S
Tognoni
Gloria
G
Bianchi
Fabrizio
F
Murri
Luigi
L
Ubezio
Maria Chiara
MC
Barbara
Vallotti
V
Di Bari
Mauro
M
Di Carlo
Antonio
A
Baldereschi
Marzia
M
Magnani
Eliana
E
Inzitari
Domenico
D
Buiatti
Eva
E
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015995:Prevalence