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How Do People Die From Dementia?
People with dementia tend to die from dementia-related complications versus the diagnosis itself. Although the World Health Organization lists dementia as the seventh leading cause of death among all diseases, […]
People with dementia tend to die from dementia-related complications versus the diagnosis itself. Although the World Health Organization lists dementia as the seventh leading cause of death among all diseases, experts estimate that number may be much higher. This is because the cause of death for those with dementia is often attributed to another medical condition or acute illness. Pneumonia, bacterial infection, and organ failure are often noted as the primary cause of death for those who die with dementia.
Infection is the leading cause of death among people with dementia. National Institutes of Health research suggests that amyloid protein and the ApoE4 gene linked to Alzheimer’s disease can damage the blood-brain barrier. This allows for viruses and bacteria to more easily infiltrate the brain tissue. Coupled with inflammation and a weakened immune system, the effects are often life-threatening to those with dementia.
Most of these medical complications are associated with end stages of the disease. An inability to swallow food or liquids can cause either of them to enter the windpipe rather than the esophagus. This can cause infection in the lungs ultimately leading to aspiration pneumonia. End stages of dementia may include other barriers to a hearty immune system including an inability to sit up or move around, increased rate of bed sores, frailty, blood clots, loss of bowel and bladder functions, and increased sleep.
Comorbidities or chronic conditions like heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, or chronic respiratory disease can also cause medical complications or death for those with end stage dementia. NIH also reports that acute organ dysfunction and severe sepsis is a common cause of death among hospitalized patients with dementia although the underlying mechanism is not fully understood.
Sources
“Dementia”. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia
“Systemic inflammation, blood-brain barrier vulnerability and cognitive/non-cognitive symptoms in Alzheimer disease: relevance to pathogenesis and therapy”. National Library of Medicine. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4114193/
“Aspiration”. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/lung/what-is-aspiration
“The impact of dementia on hospital outcomes for elderly patients with sepsis: A population-based study”. PLOS One. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6380589/
