Turkish Journal of Geriatrics 2013 , Vol 16, Issue 2
PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF DEMENTIA AMONG COMMUNITY DWELLING ELDERLY PEOPLE IN IZMIR, TURKEY
Pembe KESKİNOĞLU1, Erdem YAKA2, Reyhan UÇKU3, Görsev YENER2, Pınar KURT2
1İzmir İl Sağlık Müdürlüğü, Buca Eğitim Araştırma Hastanesi İZMİR
2Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Nöroloji Anabilim Dalı İZMİR
3Dokuz Eylül Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Halk Sağlığı Anabilim Dalı İZMİR
Introduction: The prevalence of dementia is increasing worldwide. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and risk factors of dementia among community-dwelling elderly population.

Materials and Method: A cross-sectional study utilizing cluster sampling method was performed. Diagnosis of dementia was made clinically. The parameters effecting the presence of dementia were determined by Chi square test, ϕ coefficient and logistic regression model.

Results: The mean age of the total 490 elderly subjects was 71.8. 34.7% of the elderly were illiterate and 12% were living alone. Prevalence of dementia was found to be 12.9%. According to logistic regression analysis with ϕ coefficient, advanced age and cerebrovascular disease increased the prevalence of dementia in the elderly people.

Conclusion: Prevalence of dementia among community-dwelling elderly people is relatively high. We suggest that occurence of a high rate of dementia in the study population may be due to the cumulative effect of several unfavourable risk factors such as poor socioeconomic conditions and poor health status and low level of education. Keywords : Dementia/Prevalence; Risk Factor; Aged