Introduction: Reliable data on the incidence rates for young-onset dementia (YOD) are lacking, but are necessary for research on disease etiology and to raise awareness among health care professionals.
Methods: We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis on population-based studies on the incidence of YOD, published between January 1, 1990 and February 1, 2022, according to Meta-analyses of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Data were analyzed using random-effects meta-analyses. Results were age-standardized, and heterogeneity was assessed by subgroup analyses and meta-regression.
Results: Sixty-one articles were included. Global age-standardized incidence rates increased from 0.17/100,000 in age 30 to 34 years, to 5.14/100,000 in age 60 to 64 years, giving a global total age-standardized incidence rate of 11 per 100,000 in age 30 to 64. This corresponds to 370,000 new YOD cases annually worldwide. Heterogeneity was high and meta-regression showed geographic location significantly influenced this heterogeneity.
Discussion: This meta-analysis shows the current best estimate of YOD incidence. New prospective cohort studies are needed.
Keywords: incidence; meta-analysis; worldwide; young-onset dementia.
© 2022 The Authors. Alzheimer's & Dementia published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Alzheimer's Association.