Prevalence of dementia subtypes in United States Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries, 2011–2013
Disclaimers: The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official positions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or Department of Veterans Affairs.
To the best of our knowledge, no conflict of interest, financial, or other exists. Work related to this article by R.A.G, K.A.L., M.T., S.F.P., and S.M.L. was carried out in their official capacities as employees of the federal government and their respective HHS federal agencies. T.W.'s work is supported by grants from the Department of Veteran's Affairs and the National Institutes of Health. The findings and conclusions in this report are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official positions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, or Department of Veterans Affairs.
Abstract
Introduction
Rapid growth of the older adult population requires greater epidemiologic characterization of dementia. We developed national prevalence estimates of diagnosed dementia and subtypes in the highest risk United States (US) population.
Methods
We analyzed Centers for Medicare & Medicaid administrative enrollment and claims data for 100% of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries enrolled during 2011–2013 and age ≥68 years as of December 31, 2013 (n = 21.6 million).
Results
Over 3.1 million (14.4%) beneficiaries had a claim for a service and/or treatment for any dementia subtype. Dementia not otherwise specified was the most common diagnosis (present in 92.9%). The most common subtype was Alzheimer's (43.5%), followed by vascular (14.5%), Lewy body (5.4%), frontotemporal (1.0%), and alcohol induced (0.7%). The prevalence of other types of diagnosed dementia was 0.2%.
Discussion
This study is the first to document concurrent prevalence of primary dementia subtypes among this US population. The findings can assist in prioritizing dementia research, clinical services, and caregiving resources.
Highlights
-
Rapid growth of the older adult population requires greater epidemiologic characterization of dementia.
-
We developed national prevalence estimates of diagnosed dementia and subtypes in the highest risk U.S. population by analyzing Centers for Medicare & Medicaid administrative enrollment and claims data for 100% of Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries enrolled during 2011–2013 and age ≥68 years as of December 31, 2013 (n = 21.6 million).
-
Over 3.1 million (14.4%) beneficiaries had a claim for a service and/or treatment for any dementia subtype.
-
Dementia not otherwise specified was the most common diagnosis (present in 92.9%); the most common subtype was Alzheimer's (43.5%), followed by vascular (14.5%), Lewy body (5.4%), frontotemporal (1.0%), and alcohol induced (0.7%).
-
This study, the first to document concurrent prevalence of primary dementia subtypes among this U.S. population, provides findings that can assist in prioritizing dementia research, clinical services, and caregiving resources.
