BackgroundThis study describes the prevalence of dementia and major dementia subtypes in Spanish elderly.MethodsWe identified screening surveys, both published and unpublished, in Spanish populations, which fulfilled specific quality criteria and targeted prevalence of dementia in populations aged 70 years and above. Surveys covering 13 geographically different populations were selected (prevalence period: 1990-2008). Authors of original surveys provided methodological details of their studies through a systematic questionnaire and also raw age-specific data. Prevalence data were compared using direct adjustment and logistic regression.ResultsThe reanalyzed study population (aged 70 year and above) was composed of Central and North-Eastern Spanish sub-populations obtained from 9 surveys and totaled 12,232 persons and 1,194 cases of dementia (707 of Alzheimer's disease, 238 of vascular dementia). Results showed high variation in age- and sex-specific prevalence across studies. The reanalyzed prevalence of dementia was significantly higher in women; increased with age, particularly for Alzheimer's disease; and displayed a significant geographical variation among men. Prevalence was lowest in surveys reporting participation below 85%, studies referred to urban-mixed populations and populations diagnosed by psychiatrists.ConclusionPrevalence of dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Central and North-Eastern Spain is higher in females, increases with age, and displays considerable geographic variation that may be method-related. People suffering from dementia and Alzheimer's disease in Spain may approach 600,000 and 400,000 respectively. However, existing studies may not be completely appropriate to infer prevalence of dementia and its subtypes in Spain until surveys in Southern Spain are conducted.

Aim: Our aim was to describe the clinical features of mothers infected with COVID-19 and examine any potential vertical mother to newborn transmission. We also assessed how effective the discharge recommendations were in preventing transmission during the first month of life. Methods: This multicentre descriptive study involved 16 Spanish hospitals. We reviewed the medical records of 42 pregnant women diagnosed with COVID-19 from March 13, 2020, to March 29, 2020, when they were in their third trimester of pregnancy. They and their newborn infants were monitored until the infant was 1 month old. Results: Over half (52.4%) of the women had a vaginal delivery. The initial clinical symptoms were coughing (66.6%) and fever (59.5%), and one mother died due to thrombo-embolic events. We admitted 37 newborn infants to the neonatal unit (88%), and 28 were then admitted to intermediate care for organisational virus-related reasons. No infants died, and no vertical transmission was detected during hospitalisation or follow-up. Only six were exclusively breastfed at discharge.

Dementia prevalence in Spain is comparable to other European populations, while a high number of undiagnosed cases live in the community. The potential impact of Mediterranean diet, hypertension control and decreasing vascular risk factors is discussed.

Background: Prevalence of degenerative dementias and dementias associated with cerebrovascular disease is increasing. Dementia is one of the most significant public health problem. In recent years, the role of vascular risk factors (hypertension, diabetes mellitus and hypercholesterolemia) and depression has been evaluated.

Background: Determination of the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in elderly patients with dementia inMungialde. Methods: 108 subjects with dementia, who participated in a door-to-door epidemiological study, were included. The 12-item Spanish version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory was used to evaluate these symptoms. Results: The prevalence of at least 1 neuropsychiatric symptom was found to be 76.90% for all dementia types, 73.50% in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), 80% for the Parkinson-Lewy body dementia complex (PLBD), 78.60% for vascular dementia (VD) and 100% for frontotemporal dementia (FTD). Apathy was found to be the most prevalent symptom for all dementia types and in patients with AD (53.70 and 54.30%, respectively). The next most prevalent symptoms were anxiety, depression and sleep disturbances (35.20, 32.40 and 30.60%) for all dementia types, and anxiety and depression (32.10 and 30.90%) in patients with AD. The most prevalent symptoms in patients with PLBD were apathy, appetite changes, sleep disturbances and agitation (50% each); in patients with VD they were apathy, depression and anxiety (42.90% each), and in patients with FTD they were apathy, anxiety and aberrant motor activity (100% each). Conclusions: Neuropsychiatric symptoms were found to be prevalent in patients with dementia, irrespective of dementia type.