The prevalence of dementia with Lewy bodies in a rural area of China.
Data on the prevalence of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) in China are limited. The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of DLB in individuals aged 60 years and older and to analyze the associated risk factors and clinical features of DLB.



We conducted a cross-sectional, two-phase, door-to-door, population-based study that included 5542 participants aged at least 60 years who resided in Ji County. In phase I of the study, we used the Mini-Mental State Examination, the Clinical Dementia Rating scale, and the Activities of Daily Living scale to screen for dementia. Any person who was suspected of having dementia underwent a clinical examination, blood tests, and a neuroimaging examination to confirm the diagnosis of dementia. In phase II of the study, we further screened eligible participants for DLB using consensus guidelines for the clinical and pathologic diagnosis of DLB.



The overall prevalence of DLB in the total population of 5542 study participants was 1.05%; the prevalence of DLB was 10.10% in the population with dementia. Compared to individuals without cognitive impairment, patients with DLB were less engaged in social activities. Having fewer than 5 years of formal education might be a risk factor for DLB. The three core symptoms of DLB - fluctuating cognition, visual hallucinations, and Parkinsonism - were observed in 60.34%, 68.97%, and 63.79% of patients with DLB, respectively.



Our study provides the first information of the prevalence of DLB in a rural area of China.
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China.
Wei
W
Yue
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China.
Xiao-Dan
XD
Wang
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China.
Zhihong
Z
Shi
Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China.
Yajing
Y
Wang
Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China.
Shuai
S
Liu
Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China.
Shuling
S
Liu
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China.
Ying
Y
Zhang
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China.
Yajing
Y
Zhang
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China.
Hui
H
Lu
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China.
Wenhua
W
Su
Tianjin Key Laboratory of Cerebrovascular and Neurodegenerative Diseases, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Department of Neurology, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China; Tianjin Dementia Institute, Tianjin Huanhu Hospital, Tianjin 300060, China. Electronic address: jiyongusa@126.com.
Yong
Y
Ji
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002681:China / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020961:Lewy Body Disease / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D000073216:Mental Status and Dementia Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence
Dementia; Dementia with Lewy bodies; Prevalence