Views: 1,548 | Downloads:
48
| Responses: 0
| XML | Respond to this article | Alert & updates | Request permissions | Email to a friend |
Original ArticleOpen Access
Prevalence Estimation of Dementia Among Thai Elderly : A National Survey
Jitapunkul S 
,
Kunanusont C ,
Phoolcharoen W ,
Suriyawongpaisal P
,
Kunanusont C ,
Phoolcharoen W ,
Suriyawongpaisal P Objective : To determine the prevalence of dementia and its associated factors among
Thai elderly.
Design : A one-stage cross-sectional national survey.
Setting : National communities in Thailand.
Subjects : 4,048 elderly subjects aged 60 and above.
Results : There were 668 (16.5%) elderly with a CMT score below 15. Among these
elderly, 132 were dependent as to certain aspects of self-care. According to the definition of
dementia used in this one-stage survey design (i.e. subjects with a low CMT score and self-care
dependence), 3.3 per cent of Thai elderly (95% confidence interval
=
2.7-3.8) were classified as
having dementia. After adjusting to geographic and municipal area, the prevalence rate was 3.4
per cent (95% confidence interval
=
2.8-4). Age-specific prevalence rate increased dramatically
from 1.0 per cent in the 60-64 age-group to 31.3 per cent in the 90+ age-group. The prevalence
rate of dementia among Thai elderly found in this study did not differ from the prevalence rates
among the elderly in other Asian and developed countries. Using a logistic regression analysis,
3 independent factors associated with dementia were age, literacy (writing) and geographic area.
Conclusion : With a one-stage survey design for determining the prevalence of demen-
tia, the prevalence rate and age-specific prevalence rate among the Thai elderly did not differ
from those found in other Asian and developed countries.
Key word : Dementia, Thailand, Elderly, Epidemiology, Prevalence
Thai elderly.
Design : A one-stage cross-sectional national survey.
Setting : National communities in Thailand.
Subjects : 4,048 elderly subjects aged 60 and above.
Results : There were 668 (16.5%) elderly with a CMT score below 15. Among these
elderly, 132 were dependent as to certain aspects of self-care. According to the definition of
dementia used in this one-stage survey design (i.e. subjects with a low CMT score and self-care
dependence), 3.3 per cent of Thai elderly (95% confidence interval
=
2.7-3.8) were classified as
having dementia. After adjusting to geographic and municipal area, the prevalence rate was 3.4
per cent (95% confidence interval
=
2.8-4). Age-specific prevalence rate increased dramatically
from 1.0 per cent in the 60-64 age-group to 31.3 per cent in the 90+ age-group. The prevalence
rate of dementia among Thai elderly found in this study did not differ from the prevalence rates
among the elderly in other Asian and developed countries. Using a logistic regression analysis,
3 independent factors associated with dementia were age, literacy (writing) and geographic area.
Conclusion : With a one-stage survey design for determining the prevalence of demen-
tia, the prevalence rate and age-specific prevalence rate among the Thai elderly did not differ
from those found in other Asian and developed countries.
Key word : Dementia, Thailand, Elderly, Epidemiology, Prevalence
Download:
PDF