Experts pinpoint typical life expectancy from initial dementia diagnosis – and there’s a huge variation between different subtypes – Daily Mail

Report on Early-Onset Dementia Survival Rates and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

A recent study provides critical data on survival rates for individuals diagnosed with early-onset dementia, defined as diagnosis before the age of 65. These findings have significant implications for global health policy and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, which aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases.

Key Findings from the Finnish Study

Research Scope and Methodology

The research, published in the Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, was conducted by scientists at the University of Eastern Finland’s Institute of Clinical Medicine. The study analyzed 12,490 dementia outpatient clinic visits between 2010 and 2021, identifying 794 confirmed cases of early-onset dementia for analysis.

Survival Time Variations by Dementia Subtype

The study revealed significant variance in life expectancy depending on the subtype of dementia, highlighting the need for tailored healthcare approaches.

• Alzheimer’s Disease: Average life expectancy of nearly 10 years.
• Frontotemporal Dementia and Lewy Body Dementia: Average survival time of nearly 7 years.
• Frontotemporal Dementia with Motor Neurone Disease: Average survival time of approximately 2 years.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being

Addressing Premature Mortality from Non-Communicable Diseases (Target 3.4)

Dementia is a leading non-communicable disease (NCD) and a primary contributor to premature mortality. The study’s findings on increased death rates underscore the challenge in meeting SDG Target 3.4. Compared to a control group without neurodegenerative illness, individuals with early-onset dementia faced a substantially higher mortality risk.

• The overall death rate was 6.5 times higher on average.
• Patients with frontotemporal dementia were 14 times more likely to die.
• Patients with vascular cognitive impairment were 4 times more likely to die.

Impact of Co-morbidities and the Need for Integrated Care

The research identified that co-existing conditions, specifically diabetes, were linked to a reduced survival time in patients. This finding reinforces the importance of integrated healthcare systems that manage multiple health conditions simultaneously, a core principle for achieving universal health coverage as outlined in SDG 3.

Socioeconomic Factors and Broader SDG Linkages

Education and Health Outcomes (SDG 4 & SDG 10)

The report noted that lower educational attainment is linked to an increased risk of death among patients. This demonstrates a critical intersection between SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The correlation suggests that educational disparities can lead to poorer health outcomes, exacerbating inequalities, a key concern of SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

The Role of Research and Innovation (SDG 9)

This study exemplifies the contribution of scientific research to public health, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). The researchers emphasized that “Accurate up-to-date data on the survival and mortality rates of [early-onset dementia] are crucial in designing healthcare structures, comprehensive patient care, and clinical trials.” Such data-driven innovation is essential for building resilient and effective healthcare infrastructure.

Conclusion and Recommendations for SDG Alignment

The rising prevalence of early-onset dementia presents a significant global health challenge. To align with the Sustainable Development Goals, the study’s findings suggest a multi-faceted approach is necessary.

1. Enhance Healthcare Systems: Focus on early diagnosis and the development of personalized treatment plans to slow disease progression and improve quality of life, directly supporting SDG 3.
2. Promote Integrated Care: Implement strategies for the comprehensive management of co-morbidities, such as diabetes, in dementia patients to improve survival rates.
3. Address Health Disparities: Investigate and mitigate the impact of socioeconomic factors, including education, on patient outcomes to advance SDG 4 and SDG 10.
4. Support Continued Research: Increase investment in scientific research and promote international collaboration, in line with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), to develop more effective treatments and care models.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The entire article is centered on health, specifically the non-communicable disease (NCD) of dementia. It discusses dementia as the “UK’s biggest killer,” detailing its prevalence, mortality rates, and life expectancy for patients. The research presented aims to improve patient care and treatment, which is a core objective of SDG 3. The article also touches upon co-existing conditions and risk factors like diabetes, heart disease, and obesity, which are major public health concerns relevant to this goal.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one-third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.
   • The article directly addresses this target by focusing on “early-onset dementia,” which is diagnosed before the age of 65 and thus constitutes a cause of premature mortality. It quantifies this by stating the death rate for those with early-onset dementia is “on average 6.5 times higher” than their peers. The research aims to inform “personalised treatments which can slow the progression of the illness,” directly contributing to the treatment aspect of this target. Furthermore, it identifies risk factors like diabetes and heart disease, which are critical areas for prevention strategies.
2. Target 3.d: Strengthen the capacity of all countries… for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks.
   • The article highlights a “worrying rise in the number of people in the UK being diagnosed with early-onset dementia,” with figures showing a “69 per cent rise since 2014” and an overall projection that dementia cases will “soar by over 40 per cent by 2040.” This establishes dementia as a significant and growing national health risk. The research provides “accurate up-to-date data on the survival and mortality rates,” which is essential for managing this health risk. The article also lists early signs of dementia, contributing to the “early warning” aspect of this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Mortality Rate from a Non-Communicable Disease
   • The article provides specific data that can be used as an indicator for Target 3.4. It states that the death rate for people with early-onset dementia is “6.5 times higher” than the general population and “14 times more likely to die” for those with frontotemporal dementia. Tracking these mortality rates over time would measure progress in reducing premature death from this NCD.
2. Life Expectancy and Survival Time
   • The research pinpoints “typical survival times” for different types of early-onset dementia, such as “nearly 10 years” for Alzheimer’s and “just two years” for those with both frontotemporal dementia and motor neurone disease. These figures serve as a baseline indicator; improvements in treatment and care, as called for in the article, would be reflected in increased survival times.
3. Prevalence and Incidence of Disease
   • The article mentions several prevalence indicators, including that nearly a “million people are currently living with the disease” in the UK and “70,800 Britons” are affected by early-onset dementia. It also notes the projected increase (“soar by over 40 per cent by 2040”) and the recent rise in early-onset cases (“69 per cent rise since 2014”). These statistics are crucial for monitoring the scale of the health risk, as outlined in Target 3.d.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: dailymail.co.uk