Epidemiological survey of senile dementia among elderly people in communities of Tai’an

Objective To explore the prevalence of senile dementia among elderly people in communities of Tai'an in order to provide reference for prevention and control of the disease.Methods The elderly aged 60 or over from five communities were selected and surveyed with min imental state exam ination(MMSE).The suspected patients were diagnosed by neurologisits using the DSMIV and NNCDS ADRDA.Results The total prevalence otdementia was 8.41%(52 patients).Among them,A1zhemler's disease(AD)was 6.79%(42 patients)and cerebro vascular disease was 1.62%(10 patients).Conclusion The prevalence of demintia in community is smiilar to that of other reports.AD is one of the main causes of dementia.Senility,lower deucational level and female olders are the risk factors of dementia.