[Epidemiology of dementia]

Abstract

Dementia is a major public health problem and its burden will increase in the 30 years to come. Prevalence increases with age and incidence is slightly higher in women than men, especially after the age of 80 years. Survival after the onset of dementia is approximately 5 years. Lifestyle and health habits are a keystone for dementia: risk factors include physical, intellectual and social activity and nutritional habits. Data from well-conducted intervention studies are necessary to show whether better care for hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia might decrease the incidence of dementia.