Dr Valle examines the current dementia paradigm

He National Institute of Statistics (INE) recently published a report entitled “Mortality by Cause of Death in the First Semester of 2023 (Preliminary Data) and 2022 (Final Data),” which reveals critical public health aspects related to mortality. Their findings focus on the impact of neurodegenerative diseases.

According to published data, among women dementia acts as one of the main causes of mortality, with an increase 11% of deaths compared to the previous yearreaching 7,249 deaths in 2022. Equally shocking is the devastating impact of Alzheimer’s disease, which claimed the lives of 3,972 men and 10,027 women over the same period.

Dr. Raquel Sanchez del Vallerenowned coordinator of the group for the study of behavior and dementia of the Spanish Society of Neurology (SEN), in an interview for ConSalud.es, sheds light on the significant increase in mortality due to dementia.

Dr. del Valle emphasizes that this increase is mainly due to aging populationThis is an undeniable reality, given that neurodegenerative diseases have become increasingly common over the years. In addition, the doctor points out another decisive factor: improvement notification. Previously, many death certificates did not properly list dementia as the cause of death, leading to lower rates. “Even though the patient had Alzheimer’s disease, it was said that he died from a respiratory infection,” explains the doctor.

“Now patients, despite having pneumonia, if they previously had advanced dementia, have the latter listed as the main cause of death.”

However, this phenomenon is gradually being corrected due to more accurate reporting even in cases where other comorbidities are present, such as pneumonia, coexist with advanced dementia. “Now patients, despite the presence of pneumonia, if they were previously in an advanced state of dementia, this is indicated as the main cause of death. “This hasn’t happened before,” he says. from the valley.

Given that the data analyzed is for 2022, it should be considered that the impact of COVID-19 may also have contributed significantly to the increase in dementia deaths. Doctor from the valley highlights that nursing homes with high mortality rates were critical settings, so the context of the pandemic complicates the understanding of the data, highlighting the need to consider external factors.

Remembering the numbers, 2022 recorded 3972 deaths of men

And 10,027 women due to dementia. More than half of the deaths associated with this disease affect women. Given this gender inequality, Dr. Raquel Sanchez del Valle indicates that despite the existence of numerous studies aimed at understanding this phenomenon, there is still no clarity regarding the reasons for this prevalence among women. “We know that by all statistics, dementia affects women more than men, and in the specific case of Alzheimer’s disease it is very clear that it is two-thirds in women and one-third in men. It’s true that women live longer and this can have an impact,” explains the behavior and dementia expert.

“A subject may have no vascular risk factors, be highly educated, have better living conditions, and still suffer from Alzheimer’s disease.”

In the area of ​​prevention, the doctor emphasizes that, despite the global increase in the prevalence of dementia, age-adjusted incidence is declining in the most developed countries. This decrease is explained by improved control of risk factors, improved quality of life and increased educational levels of the population. He emphasizes the importance of solving the problem cardiovascular risks as a preventive measure at the population level. Unfortunately, “at the individual level, a subject may have no risk factors for vascular disease, be highly educated, have better living conditions, and still suffer from Alzheimer’s disease,” explains the researcher. Dr. del Valle.

Regarding progress in treatment, Dr. Sanchez del Valle highlights the relevance new biological drugs the last two years. These drugs against amyloid protein, a leading cause of Alzheimer’s disease, have been approved in the US and Japan and are being evaluated in Europe. Although eliminating amyloid protein does not eliminate the disease, it does have the ability to slow progression by approximately 30%. Thus, the doctor states that, despite the increase in deaths from dementia, these advances provide “a glimmer of hope in the prognosis.”