Canadian scientists have developed a method for predicting the lifespan of people with dementia. A description of the methodology was published in the scientific journal Canadian Medical Association Journal.
The researchers found that the average life expectancy of patients after diagnosis of dementia does not exceed five years. The study involved more than 108 thousand elderly people living in Ontario from 2010 to 2012. 55 percent of them died within five years after the diagnosis of dementia, this figure is the doctors compared with the time of life when cancer. Nearly half of deaths — 28 per cent lived in nursing homes. According to the findings, only every fourth patient with dementia lived more than five years or still lives. These data allow us to predict the death of people.
According to the method of study, older age, male gender, presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiac and renal failure are the main factors pointing to a short life expectancy following diagnosis of dementia. Scientists have stressed that the influence of multiple organ failure in the course of dementia was not considered in the earlier studies.
According to doctors, to predict the approximate duration of life for people with acquired dementia succeeded with the help of a special test, in which patients are asked a few simple questions. Scientists said that knowing how much the patient approximately left to live, his family will be more relaxed and will be able to plan the best conditions until the moment of death or to seek assistance in nursing homes.
Earlier, us experts said that eating healthy foods can slow the process of cognitive decline and avoid aging of the brain. One of the best ways to prevent dementia, scientists have called the commitment to the Mediterranean diet, as the consumption of fish and vegetables has on the brain the greatest protective effect.
