Disease Burden and Attributable Risk Factors of Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia in China from 1990 to 2019

Background: Updated information on the burden of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia are of great importance for evidence-based health care planning. However, such an estimate has been lacking in Chinese populations at both national and provincial levels. Methods: The temporal trends and the attributable burdens of selected risk factors of Alzheimer's disease and dementia in China were reported through six indicators: incidence, mortality, prevalence, YLLs, YLDs, and DALYs. Findings: There were notable increasing trends in the number of deaths (247·9%), incidence (264·8%), prevalence (296·5%), YLDs (308·7%), YLLs (201·7%) and DALYs (228·1%) from 1990 to 2019, respectively. The corresponding age-standardized rates increased by 6·2%, 19·3%, 33·6%, 33·4%, 3·1% and 10·7%. Smoking, high body mass index, high fasting plasma glucose levels, and metabolic risks were the four leading risk factors. Higher burden was observed among females versus males and in the more developed regions. Interpretation: The disease burden in China were increasing substantially. Regional differences of the disease burden are accompanied by discrepancies of economic level and geographical location, as well as different levels of exposure to risk factors. Targeted prevention and control strategies are urgently needed to reduce the disease burden. Funding: National key Research and Development program of China [2020YFC2008705]. Declaration of Interest: None to declare.