Alzheimer's Disease Mortality Trends in Turkey, 2009-2018

Abstract

Aim: World population has aged as a result of developments and improvements in the living conditions, care and health services. The most important risk factor of Alzheimer's disease is age, and with the aging of the population, both prevalence and mortality rates increase. The study aimed to determine the trend of mortality rates due to Alzheimer's disease over the years according to gender and age groups, between 2009-2018. Methods: Alzheimer's disease-related data was obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute death database. Age-standardized mortality rates were calculated through the direct method to the World Standard Population. Joinpoint Regression Analysis was used to estimate annual percentage change, average annual percentage change, and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Over the period observed, more than 95 000 persons died due to Alzheimer's disease (37 961 males and 57 936 females). Joinpoint Regression Analysis indicated that the trend in Alzheimer's mortality rates a significant increase of 13.3% (95% CI: 10.6;16.2; p<0.001) every year from 2009 to 2015, and a non-significant decrease of 0.5% % (95% CI: -5.3;4.7; p=0.82), from 2015 to the end of the period. When evaluated according to gender, both in females and males, mortality rates showed a significant increase from 2009 to 2015. And then until the end of the period a nonsignificant decrease in males and a non-significant increase in females. Conclusion: The findings from this study can provide information about current and future health planning and policy development in medicine, social work, public policy and public health.