[Clinical and demographic characteristics of the cases of dementia diagnosed in the Health District of Girona throughout the period 2007-2010: data from the Girona Dementia Registry (ReDeGi)]

Abstract

Introduction: The Girona Dementia Registry (ReDeGi, from Spanish: Registro de Demencias de Girona) is a population-based epidemiological surveillance mechanism that registers the cases of dementia diagnosed by the reference centres in the Girona Health District.

Aim: To report on the frequency of the diagnoses and their clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, as well as to compare differences depending on the different subtypes of dementia.

Patients and methods: The method used consisted in a consecutive standardised register of the diagnoses involving dementia in specialised procedures in the Girona Health District between 2007 and 2010.

Results: A total of 2814 cases were registered, which represents a clinical incidence of 6.6 cases per 1000 persons/year. Of this total number, 69.2% were primary degenerative dementias, 18.9% were dementias secondary to a vascular pathology, 5.4% were other secondary dementias and 6.5% were non-specific dementias. The mean age was 79.2 ± 7.6 years (range: 33-99 years) and 59.3% were females. The mean time elapsed since the onset of symptoms and clinical diagnosis was 2.5 ± 1.7 years. The mean score on the Blessed dementia scale was 7.7 ± 4.5 points and in the minimental test it was 17.6 ± 5.4 points. A family history of dementia was present in 26.6% of cases and 69.6% presented one or more cardiovascular risk factors. In 60.6% of cases they were cases of mild dementia, 28.5% were moderate and 10.9% were severe cases.

Conclusions: The epidemiological surveillance activity carried out by the ReDeGi throughout the period 2007-2010 has made it possible to record information that is extremely valuable for the planning and management of health care resources.