Prevalence and Incidence Rates of Dementia and Cognitive Impairment No Dementia in the Mexican Population: Data From the Mexican Health and Aging Study

Objective: To estimate the prevalence and incidence of dementia and cognitive impairment without dementia (CIND) in the Mexican population. Method: The MHAS study is a prospective panel study of health and aging in Mexico with 7,000 elders that represent eight million participants nationally. Using measurements of cognition and activities of daily living of dementia cases and CIND were identified at baseline and follow-up. Overall incidence rates and specific rates for sex, age, and education were calculated. Results: Prevalence was 6.1% and 28.7% for dementia and CIND, respectively. Incidence rates were 27.3 per 1,000 person-years for dementia and 223 per 1,000 persons-year for CIND. Rates of dementia and CIND increased with advancing age and decreased with higher educational level; sex had a differential effect depending on the age strata. Hypertension, diabetes, and depression were risk factors for dementia but not for CIND. Discussion: These data provide estimates of prevalence and incidence of dementia and cognitive impairment in the Mexican population for projection of future burden.