An update of the profile of older adults with dementia in Europe: findings from SHARE

Background: The increase in longevity due to the reduction of premature deaths has led to an increase of the number of people with dementia. The objective of the present work was to analyze the profile of the European population with dementia aged more than 50. Methods: The sample of individuals aged 51 or more years was taken from a European database within the last wave of the SHARE Project (Wave 6, March 2017). Participants with and without a diagnosis of dementia were compared in terms of socio-demographic, general health, mental health, behavioural risks, education and employment, by age group. Categorical variables were compared using chi-square test, quantitative variables were compared with the independent sample t-test. Results: From 45,340 subjects (40% males) 897 (2%) had dementia. The findings corroborate recent evidence stating that individuals with dementia have a lower physical and mental health as well as a lower quality of life than people without dementia. It was also verified that people with dementia: (i) had a lower employment rate; (ii) showed lower levels of formal education; (iii) less were living a married life; (iv) exhibited a moderate pattern of behavioural risks, but had higher levels of physical inactivity; (v) had more chronic diseases and (iv) higher intake of more than 5 drugs per day. The unfavourable health and well-being status of dementia subjects was found in all age groups. Conclusions: An update of the profile of older Europeans with dementia was performed with data from 18 countries. The findings of co-morbidity, high rates of intake of more than 5 drugs daily and low levels of well-being irrespective of age should be considered in the assessment and management of dementia in the European population.