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Comparative Study
. 2005 Aug;2(8):e193.
doi: 10.1371/journal.pmed.0020193. Epub 2005 Aug 23.

The incidence of dementia in England and Wales: findings from the five identical sites of the MRC CFA Study

Fiona Matthews  1 , Carol Brayne; Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study Investigators
Affiliations
Comparative Study

The incidence of dementia in England and Wales: findings from the five identical sites of the MRC CFA Study

Fiona Matthews et al. PLoS Med. 2005 Aug.

Erratum in

  • PLoS Med. 2005 Oct;2(10):e389

Abstract

Background: Although incidence of dementia is known to vary between nations, variation within country has not been explored because most incidence studies are single site or have insufficient numbers to compare sites. Few countries have conducted multisite incidence studies in order to facilitate national comparisons. This study aims to provide robust measures of the variation of the incidence of dementia across sites within England and Wales and produce overall estimates by age and sex.

Methods and findings: The Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study used identical methodology in five diverse sites across the United Kingdom, each with different risk patterns and mortality rates. Incidence has been estimated using likelihood-based methods between the first two waves of interviews. Incidence rates rise with age, particularly above the age of 75 y, from 6.7 [corrected] (95% confidence interval, 3.8 [corrected]-12.4 [corrected]) per 1,000 person years at age 65-69 y to 68.5 [corrected] (95% confidence interval, 52.5 [corrected]-88.1 [corrected]) per 1,000 person years at age 85 y and above. The rate of increase for both sexes is marked, and continues into the oldest age groups. Hence, it is estimated that approximately 163,000 [corrected] new cases of dementia occur in England and Wales each year. There is no convincing evidence of variation across sites, and incidence rates do not reflect the variations in the prevalence of possible risk factors in these sites.

Conclusion: There is no evidence, within England and Wales, of variation in dementia incidence across sites. Dementia incidence rates do not tail off at the oldest ages.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Flow Chart of Individuals Contributing to the Incidence Analysis
D indicates died between waves, R indicates refused, and M indicates moved away from the study areas between waves.
Figure 2
Figure 2. Centre Effects for the Three Different Incidence Models
Figure 3
Figure 3. Incidence Rates (and 95% Confidence Intervals) by Age and Sex
Figure 4
Figure 4. Incidence Rates in MRC CFAS Compared with Meta-Analysis Results
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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