Dementias in Brazil: increasing burden in the 2000-2016 period. Estimates from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016.

Introduction: Dementia is a globally relevant health problem, which places a great burden on patients and their families. This study aimed to estimate the burden associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias in Brazil.

Methods: In this descriptive study, we investigated the estimates obtained by the Global Burden of Disease study. We described the prevalence of AD and other dementias, years lived with disability (YLDs), age-standardized mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) among individuals aged 60 years or older between 2000 and 2016, with their respective 95% uncertainty intervals (95%UI).

Results: During this period, the age-standardized prevalence of AD and other dementias per 100,000 people increased by 7.8%, from 961.7 (95%UI 828.3-1,117.5) to 1,036.9 (95%UI 882.0-1,219.5), with approximately 1.5 million people living with dementia in Brazil. The incidence increased by 4.5%. Similarly, all age-standardized rates had an upward trend (mortality: 3.1%; YLLs: 5.8%; YLDs: 7.9%; and DALYs: 6.3%). Mortality profiles increased with age in both years. Dementias were ranked fourth among the leading causes of death in people aged ≥70 years in 2000, rising to second place in 2016. In 2016, it also represented the second and third leading causes of disability among older women and men, respectively.

Conclusion: Population growth and aging have resulted in an increased burden of AD and other dementias in Brazil. Preventive and early diagnostic measures are essential to mitigate the burden associated with these diseases.