J Korean Geriatr Psychiatry.  1999 Jun;3(1):44-52.

Epidemiological Study of Dementia in a Korea Urban Area

• Kwak DI
• Choi YK
• Jung IK
• Lee MS

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
Dementia is major neuropsychiatic disorder in the elderly. This study was aimed to investigate the prevalence of dementia and provide fundamental data for community mental health programs. METHOD: 500 elderly people aged 65 years and over in Kwachon were interviewed according to DSM-IV and examined MMSE-K, Korea-Dementia Rating Scale (K-DRS), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), Modified Hatchinski Ischemic Scale (MHIS) by trained research assistants.
RESULTS
Prevalence of dementia is 10.6% (Alzheimer type 8.0%;vascular type 2.6%). Old age, lower education, cardiovascular disease, head trauma and heavy smoking seem to be risk factors for developing dementia but sex difference is non significant.
CONCLUSION
The results showed similar prevalence rates compared to other epidemiological studies. Demented group showed more cognitive disturbances than non-demented one. For patients of dementia, appropriate treatment and management by family members, other caregivers and mental health professionals are needed.

Keyword

Elderly; Epidemiology; Dementia

MeSH Terms

Aged
Cardiovascular Diseases
Caregivers
Craniocerebral Trauma
Dementia*
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
Education
Epidemiologic Studies*
Epidemiology
Gyeonggi-do
Humans
Korea*
Mental Health
Prevalence
Risk Factors
Sex Characteristics
Smoke
Smoking
Smoke