Factors Associated With Alzheimer's Dementia Diagnosis and Survival in Down Syndrome

Abstract

Background People with Down syndrome (DS) have an increased risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Identifying factors associated with dementia onset and subsequent survival will support in understanding the disease profile, improving timely diagnosis, management, and care planning.

Method Variables associated with age at dementia onset and survival times were assessed in 279 adults with DS who accessed a community learning disability service. After outliers were removed, regression and hazard regression models were used for disease onset (n = 265) and survival times (n = 180), respectively.

Results Earlier age at first assessment and living with family predicted earlier age at diagnosis, which led to longer survival, post-diagnosis. Epilepsy and living in a long-stay hospital were associated with earlier mortality.

Conclusion Implications for clinical practice include reflections on the importance of early baseline assessments and caregiver awareness. Suggestions for future research include investigating intersectionality of social factors with genetics to better understand AD trajectories.