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The truth about early-onset dementia: Why are more and more young people being diagnosed?
As society's awareness of early-onset dementia grows, many experts are beginning to focus on this major public health challenge. Early-onset dementia, which usually refers to dementia symptoms that appear before the age of 65, is affecting more and more young people at an alarming rate. According to recent studies, the number of people suffering from early-onset dementia is increasing rapidly around the world.
Overview of Dementia PraecoxDementia praecox is a general term for a variety of dementia symptoms, usually manifested as a gradual decline in cognitive function. Specifically, this may involve a decline in control functions, learning ability, language skills, memory or behavior. It can occur for a variety of reasons, including degenerative diseases, autoimmune diseases, or infections. The most common form of early-onset dementia is Alzheimer's disease, which accounts for about 40% to 50% of cases, followed by frontotemporal dementia and vascular dementia.
Less common forms of early-onset dementia include Lewy body dementia, Huntington's disease, Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease, multiple sclerosis, and alcoholic dementia.
Evolution of terminology
As research progressed, the term "juvenile dementia" began to be used more widely to avoid confusing early-onset dementia with late-onset dementia. The term was coined out of concern for patients over the age of 51 who begin to develop dementia. This means that adolescents with dementia are more diverse and present different characteristics than older patients.
EpidemiologyAlthough early-onset dementia is less common than late-onset dementia, its global impact cannot be underestimated. The latest research shows that about 3.55 million people between the ages of 30 and 64 are suffering from early-onset dementia, and this number is expected to triple by 2050. More importantly, the prevalence of early-onset dementia was roughly the same between men and women, and there was no significant difference between different ethnic groups.
The incidence of early-onset dementia increases rapidly with age and is particularly pronounced for certain types of Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal dementia.
Risk Factors
Some risk factors traditionally associated with late-onset dementia, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and obesity, are also considered risk factors for early-onset dementia. In addition, certain chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and digestive system diseases are also associated with the development of early-onset dementia. Family medical history may also be a significant risk factor in some cases.
Diagnostic Challenges
While early-onset dementia is usually defined as under 65, this division is still based on the traditional retirement age. Diagnosing early-onset dementia presents challenges because many patients may have multiple different health problems when symptoms develop. The study showed that it took an average of 4.4 years for early-onset dementia to be diagnosed, compared with 2.8 years for late-onset dementia.
The diagnostic workup includes a detailed medical history, neuroimaging, behavioral testing, and genetic testing.
Disease Process
In general, people with early-onset dementia progress more quickly and often suffer more significant neurological damage than those with later-onset cases. Although Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia in all age groups, other non-Alzheimer's causes are common in early-onset dementia.
Prognosis
The prognosis of early-onset dementia is usually proportional to the age of onset, and the survival rate usually decreases with increasing age. Estimates show that the average time from diagnosis to death is approximately 6 to 10 years.
As a member of society, we should pay more attention to the needs and challenges of patients with early-onset dementia. This is not only a health issue but also a social responsibility. How can support for people with early-onset dementia be improved so they can have a better quality of life?
