Prevalence of dementia and its impact on mortality in patients with coronavirus disease 2019: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2021 Feb;21(2):172-177. doi: 10.1111/ggi.14107. Epub 2020 Dec 19.

Abstract

Aim: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the prevalence of dementia in patients with COVID-19 and its association with mortality. We also aimed to discover whether age, sex and other comorbidities might affect the association between dementia and mortality.

Methods: We carried out a systematic literature search using PubMed, SCOPUS, EuropePMC and the Cochrane Central Database. The outcome of interest was mortality, defined as clinically validated mortality/death/non-survivor in the studies. The pooled effect estimates were presented as odds ratio and adjusted odds ratio.

Results: A total of 56 577 patients from 10 studies were included. The prevalence of dementia in this pooled analysis was 10% (7-13%). Dementia was associated with increased mortality in both pooled unadjusted (odds ratio 2.80, 95% CI 1.85-4.24, P < 0.001; I2 = 93.7%) and adjusted effect estimates (adjusted odds ratio 1.80, 95% CI 1.45-2.24, P < 0.001; I2 = 72.9%). The association between dementia and mortality was influenced by age (coefficient -0.047, P < 0.001) and hypertension (coefficient -0.009, P = 0.020).

Conclusions: This study showed that dementia was associated with increased mortality in COVID-19 patients. The association was affected by age and comorbidities. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 172-177.

Keywords: Alzheimer; coronavirus; dementia; prognosis; risk stratification.

Publication types

  • Meta-Analysis
  • Systematic Review

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • COVID-19* / epidemiology
  • COVID-19* / mortality
  • Comorbidity
  • Dementia* / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Prevalence
  • Risk Factors
  • SARS-CoV-2