[Dementia with Lewy bodies in Sweden: diagnosis, treatment, challenges, and support]

Abstract

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is the second most common form of neurodegenerative dementia. While its prevalence is commonly reported to be 5% of all dementia cases, DLB is severely under-diagnosed and under-recognized, with prevalence rates reported to be up to 25% in some studies. This article strives to increase social and professional awareness of DLB in Sweden, under the auspice of the Swedish Lewy Body Network. The article summarizes the key clinical and biological characteristics of DLB, including its prodromal stages. We discuss current challenges and provide practical recommendations to improve health care in DLB in Sweden. Treatment opportunities that modify the disease are lacking, while this article suggests several opportunities for symptomatic treatment that often improve the quality of life of people with DLB.