Dementia prevalence within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia National Guard Health System (2015-2023): An exploratory epidemiological study

Background: Dementia is recognized as one of the prevalent neurocognitive disorders among older adults in Saudi Arabia, yet research efforts on its prevalence remains limited and fragmented, making it difficult to gain a full understanding of its epidemiology. Objective: To explore dementia epidemiology and associated data within the older population in the sector of National Guard Health System (NGHS), Saudi Arabia. Methods: This was a multicenter study that utilized medical records from NGHS centers across the country. We included data from all individuals aged 50 years and older who sought medical care between January 1, 2015, and January 1, 2023. Results: Nearly half of the study's participants were men (51.9%), with the majority being diagnosed between the ages of 70-79 years (38.5%) and 80-89 years (31%). Dementia was identified in 3.37% of participants. The most prevalent subtype was late-onset Alzheimer's disease (35.6%), followed by unspecified dementia (18.4%). Significant differences between genders were observed, particularly in the age at diagnosis (p = 0.003) and the prevalence of ischemic strokes as a risk factor (p < 0.001). Conclusions: In this multicenter study utilizing the NGHS cohort, Alzheimer's disease emerged as the most prevalent subtype of dementia. This research has the potential to influence clinical practices by enhancing the early identification and management of dementia and provides a solid foundation for developing evidence-based policy strategies to tackle the increasing challenges of dementia in Saudi Arabia.