Characterizing dementia prevalence in the State of Florida: An electronic health record study

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundAlzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) are extremely prevalent and expected to significantly rise in the future. However, prevalence rates differ across ADRD sub‐types with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), vascular dementia (VaD), and dementia with Lewy Bodies (LBD) as the three most common. Aside from self‐report surveys, there is minimal research conducted in the state of Florida (USA) examining prevalence rates of ADRD across the lifespan.MethodElectronic health record (EHR) data from the OneFlorida Research Consortium was used to examine prevalence rates of ADRD for individuals across the state. ICD codes were used to identify patients in Florida, aged 45+ years, living with ADRD. Descriptive statistics were calculated to characterize the OneFlorida ADRD population by decade of age, gender, ethnicity, and race.Resultn = 162,356 individuals (5.66%) over the age of 45 with ADRD diagnosis in the EHR were identified. When age was not considered, the overall odds of having an ADRD diagnosis for males was lower than the odds of having ADRD diagnosis for females (Odds Ratio = .693, p < .0001). The unadjusted rate of ADRD diagnosis in the EHR for non‐Hispanic Whites (6.9%), while comparable, was significantly higher than the rates in Blacks (6.2%, χ2(1) = 226.13, p < .0001), Hispanics (6.1%, χ2(1) = 412.22, p < .0001), and other ethnoracial groups. The percentage of ADRD diagnosis increased with each decade of life. Of the ADRD sub‐types, AD was most common (62%), followed by VaD (23%), MCI (21%), LBD (5%), frontotemporal dementia (1%), and primary progressive aphasia (<1%).ConclusionADRD diagnoses are common in patients throughout Florida. Although epidemiology studies suggest ethnic minorities are more likely to develop ADRD, non‐Hispanic Whites were more likely to be diagnosed with ADRD in this sample. This finding suggests a lack of access to diagnostic healthcare in ethnic minorities throughout the state, indicating a “double disparity”. This research will further examine how age, race, gender, and access to healthcare may moderate the rate of ADRD diagnosis. Understanding the trends and prevalence of ADRD may help inform policy makers, healthcare providers, and payers about disease management and may predict future healthcare needs.