Death Rate Due to COVID-19 in Alzheimer's Disease and Frontotemporal Dementia

Abstract

We aimed to evaluate the frequency and mortality of COVID-19 in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and frontotemporal dementia (FTD). We conducted an observational case series. We enrolled 204 patients, 15.2% of whom were diagnosed with COVID-19, and 41.9% of patients with the infection died. Patients with AD were older than patients with FTD (80.36±8.77 versus 72.00±8.35 years old) and had a higher prevalence of arterial hypertension (55.8% versus 26.3%). COVID-19 occurred in 7.3% of patients living at home, but 72.0% of those living at care homes. Living in care facilities and diagnosis of AD were independently associated with a higher probability of death. We found that living in care homes is the most relevant factor for an increased risk of COVID-19 infection and death, with AD patients exhibiting a higher risk than those with FTD.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; COVID-19; SARS-CoV-2; care homes; frontotemporal dementia.