Work

Global, regional, and national burden of anxiety‐related Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's‐related dementias among older adults from 1995 to 2021: A comparative risk assessment study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Study designs: Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis

Abstract: INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to quantify the global dementia burden attributable to anxiety disorders among older adults. Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, and MEDLINE through July, 2024 for cohort studies examining anxiety-related dementia risk, and pooled risk ratios (RRs). Prevalence of anxiety disorders and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) for dementia were obtained from Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021. Attributable age-standardized DALY rates (ASDRs) were estimated for 1995-2021, with trends and cross-country inequalities assessed. Results: Fourteen studies met inclusion. Anxiety disorders were associated with increased dementia risk (RR: 1.14). Globally, attributable ASDRs declined slightly (23.54 to 22.52 per 100,000, 1995-2021). Highest burdens were observed in Europe and high-middle sociodemographic index (SDI) regions in 2021, while the fastest increases occurred in South-East Asian and low-middle SDI regions. Global inequalities persisted over time. Discussion: Anxiety contributes to dementia burden in older adults, highlighting the need for targeted interventions in countries and regions with high anxiety-attributable dementia burden.

Source: Alzheimer s & Dementia Diagnosis Assessment & Disease Monitoring

DOI: 10.1002/dad2.70537