Alzheimer’s Disease Mortality Rate Is Higher Than Reported

Alzheimer’s disease may contribute to almost as many deaths in the United States as heart disease or cancer, researchers reported online ahead of print March 5 in Neurology.

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the US, according to the CDC, whereas heart disease and cancer are numbers one and two, respectively. These numbers are based on what is reported on death certificates.

“Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are under-reported on death certificates and medical records,” said lead author Bryan D. James, PhD, an epidemiologist at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. “Death certificates often list the immediate cause of death, such as pneumonia, rather than listing dementia as an underlying cause.” Dr. James added that attempting to identify a single cause of death does not always accurately reflect the process of dying for most elderly people, as multiple health issues often contribute to the event.

“The estimates generated by our analysis suggest that deaths from Alzheimer’s disease far exceed the numbers reported by the CDC and those listed on death certificates,” he said.

A total of 2,566 people ages 65 and older (average age, 78) received annual testing for dementia. The investigators found that after an average of eight years, 1,090 participants died. A total of 559 participants without dementia at the start of the study developed Alzheimer’s disease. The average time from diagnosis to death was about four years. After death, Alzheimer’s disease was confirmed through autopsy for about 90% of those who were clinically diagnosed.

The death rate was more than four times higher after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in people ages 75 to 84 and nearly three times higher in people ages 85 and older. More than one-third of all deaths in those age groups were attributable to Alzheimer’s disease.

An estimated 503,400 deaths from Alzheimer’s disease occurred in the US among people older than 75 in 2010, which is five to six times higher than the 83,494 reported by the CDC based on death certificates, noted Dr. James.

“Determining the true effects of dementia in this country is important for raising public awareness and identifying research priorities regarding this epidemic,” he said.

Alzheimer’s disease may contribute to almost as many deaths in the United States as heart disease or cancer, researchers reported online ahead of print March 5 in Neurology.

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the US, according to the CDC, whereas heart disease and cancer are numbers one and two, respectively. These numbers are based on what is reported on death certificates.

“Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are under-reported on death certificates and medical records,” said lead author Bryan D. James, PhD, an epidemiologist at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. “Death certificates often list the immediate cause of death, such as pneumonia, rather than listing dementia as an underlying cause.” Dr. James added that attempting to identify a single cause of death does not always accurately reflect the process of dying for most elderly people, as multiple health issues often contribute to the event.

“The estimates generated by our analysis suggest that deaths from Alzheimer’s disease far exceed the numbers reported by the CDC and those listed on death certificates,” he said.

A total of 2,566 people ages 65 and older (average age, 78) received annual testing for dementia. The investigators found that after an average of eight years, 1,090 participants died. A total of 559 participants without dementia at the start of the study developed Alzheimer’s disease. The average time from diagnosis to death was about four years. After death, Alzheimer’s disease was confirmed through autopsy for about 90% of those who were clinically diagnosed.

The death rate was more than four times higher after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in people ages 75 to 84 and nearly three times higher in people ages 85 and older. More than one-third of all deaths in those age groups were attributable to Alzheimer’s disease.

An estimated 503,400 deaths from Alzheimer’s disease occurred in the US among people older than 75 in 2010, which is five to six times higher than the 83,494 reported by the CDC based on death certificates, noted Dr. James.

“Determining the true effects of dementia in this country is important for raising public awareness and identifying research priorities regarding this epidemic,” he said.

Alzheimer’s disease may contribute to almost as many deaths in the United States as heart disease or cancer, researchers reported online ahead of print March 5 in Neurology.

Alzheimer’s disease is the sixth leading cause of death in the US, according to the CDC, whereas heart disease and cancer are numbers one and two, respectively. These numbers are based on what is reported on death certificates.

“Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are under-reported on death certificates and medical records,” said lead author Bryan D. James, PhD, an epidemiologist at the Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. “Death certificates often list the immediate cause of death, such as pneumonia, rather than listing dementia as an underlying cause.” Dr. James added that attempting to identify a single cause of death does not always accurately reflect the process of dying for most elderly people, as multiple health issues often contribute to the event.

“The estimates generated by our analysis suggest that deaths from Alzheimer’s disease far exceed the numbers reported by the CDC and those listed on death certificates,” he said.

A total of 2,566 people ages 65 and older (average age, 78) received annual testing for dementia. The investigators found that after an average of eight years, 1,090 participants died. A total of 559 participants without dementia at the start of the study developed Alzheimer’s disease. The average time from diagnosis to death was about four years. After death, Alzheimer’s disease was confirmed through autopsy for about 90% of those who were clinically diagnosed.

The death rate was more than four times higher after a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease in people ages 75 to 84 and nearly three times higher in people ages 85 and older. More than one-third of all deaths in those age groups were attributable to Alzheimer’s disease.

An estimated 503,400 deaths from Alzheimer’s disease occurred in the US among people older than 75 in 2010, which is five to six times higher than the 83,494 reported by the CDC based on death certificates, noted Dr. James.

“Determining the true effects of dementia in this country is important for raising public awareness and identifying research priorities regarding this epidemic,” he said.