A review of the 10/66 dementia research group

Abstract

Well-designed epidemiological research is relatively lacking in low and middle income countries where two-thirds of the world’s estimated 24 million people with dementia live. The 10/66 Dementia Research Group has sought since 1998 to redress this imbalance. Pilot studies to develop and validate dementia diagnostic measures and study care arrangements in 26 centers worldwide were followed by one phase cross-sectional catchment area surveys in eight Latin American countries, China, India, Nigeria and South Africa. The protocol includes assessment of sociodemographics, disability, care arrangements, physical and mental health, and dementia diagnosis with (more restrictive) DSM-IV and (less restrictive) 10/66 dementia criteria. An incidence phase is underway in eight countries. 10/66 dementia prevalence is generally double that of DSM-IV dementia. DSM-IV dementia is particularly rare in India, attributable to the small proportion of family informants confirming cognitive decline and social impairment. Carer psychological and economic strain is as high as in the developed world, despite traditional family care arrangements. A significant minority of people with dementia are vulnerable due to lack of family support and economic resources. Earlier studies probably underestimated dementia prevalence in regions with very low awareness of this emerging public health problem. More research is needed to delineate the impact of dementia relative to other chronic diseases, and secular trends in countries experiencing rapid demographic ageing and health transition. Packages of care are also a priority - healthcare services and governments have not responded to families’ complex needs for support in their long-term care role.

The association between, depression, anxiety, and mortality in older people across eight low‐ and middle‐income countries: Results from the 10/66 cohort study

“…A fixed‐effect meta‐analysis was considered to be more appropriate than a random‐effect meta‐analysis, as the aim here was to summarise estimates from all 10/66 sites rather than make inferences to other hypothetical populations. This analytical approach has been widely applied to most studies using the 10/66 cohort …”

Dementia literacy in Western Pacific countries: A mixed methods study

“…In the World Alzheimer report, it was estimated that the number of people living with dementia in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMICs) will increase by 223% to 264% between 2015 and 2050. More research is needed in these countries because two‐thirds of the world's population with dementia live there . A higher level of dementia literacy will enable the reduction of risk, early diagnosis, and improved management of dementia .…”

“…More research is needed in these countries because two-thirds of the world's population with dementia live there. 2 A higher level of dementia literacy will enable the reduction of risk, early diagnosis, and improved management of dementia. [3][4][5] However, dementia literacy among the public is often low, 6,7 which poses a significant barrier to symptom recognition and treatment.…”

Reacción del cuidador familiar de paciente con demencia en la atención domiciliaria frente a la institucionalizada

“…Eran pocos los ancianos con demencia de distintas localidades del 10/66 en PIBM que recibían pensiones o apoyo gubernamental; y prácticamente ninguno recibía pensiones por discapacidad. Algo alarmante, fueron los altos índices de inseguridad alimentaria (personas con demencia que pasan hambre debido a la falta de recursos para comprar comida) observados en la Republica Dominicana, áreas rurales de México y Perú, y en ambas localidades de la India (157,158). Los regalos de dinero en efectivo por parte de la familia (transferencias familiares) fueron identificados como una importante fuente de ingreso en los centros del estudio 10/66 con baja cobertura de planes pensión.…”