Opposing trends in early-onset dementia incidence across subtypes in Finland, 2016–2024
Abstract
Background: Early-onset dementia (EOD) poses a major public health and economic challenge. Epidemiological studies have shown heterogenous incidence and prevalence rates due to varying inclusion criteria and data sources. Using comprehensive register data covering Finnish adult population and all health care sectors, we estimated the annual incidence of EOD, including subtypes, in Finland during 2016–2024. We also estimated the prevalence of EOD and the distribution of diagnoses in specialized, primary, and private sectors in 2024.
Methods: This retrospective observational nationwide register-based study included new EOD cases in individuals aged 30–64 years during 2016–2024. Data were obtained from the Finnish Care Register for Health Care and the Register of Primary Health Care Visits, compiled with medication purchase data. Dementia diagnoses were identified using ICD-10 and ICPC codes, supplemented by records of anti-dementia medication use. Prevalence rate in 2024, and annual incidence rates were calculated using population statistics.
Results: In 2024, the age- and sex-standardized incidence rate of EOD was 42/100,000, and the prevalence was 256/100,000. Alzheimer’s disease was the most common diagnosis (38%), followed by unspecified (21%), frontotemporal (11%), and vascular dementias (11%). The trend of EOD incidence remained stable in 2016–2024. The incidence of alcohol-related dementias decreased markedly, while Alzheimer’s disease, vascular and frontotemporal dementias showed an increasing trend. Approx. 72% of EODs were diagnosed in specialized health care, 18% in primary care, and 10% in private sector.
Conclusions: The overall incidence and prevalence of EOD seem to be higher than previously reported when considering all dementia subtypes and all health care providers. Underestimation of incidence could lead to insufficient resources. Strengthening collaboration across health care sectors could integrate diagnostic services in people with EOD.
Key messages: • The incidence and prevalence of early-onset dementia (EOD) seem to be higher than previously reported. Alcohol-related dementia incidence is decreasing, while other common subtypes are increasing.
• Even though the majority of EODs are diagnosed in specialized health care, over one quarter are diagnosed in primary care or the private sector, which calls for cross-sector coordination.
Related
- Educational inequalities in incidence and mortality trends of four common cancers in Finland
- Trends in the incidence of childhood type 1 diabetes after the COVID-19 lockdown in Finland: An observational study
- Nationwide trends in dementia subtypes and in-hospital mortality among hospitalizations with type 2 diabetes in Spain, 2021–2024: A focus on sex disparities
- Incidence of intra-axial brain metastases in Eastern Finland.
- Estimated incidence and number of new cases with prenatal alcohol exposure and fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in Finland 1990–2025
BibTeX
@article{poyhonen2026opposing,
title = {{Opposing trends in early-onset dementia incidence across subtypes in Finland, 2016–2024}},
author = {J Pöyhönen and J Reinikainen and E Lindell and K Sarttila and H M Roitto and T Ngandu and S Parikka},
journal = {The European Journal of Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1099},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1099},
note = {CC BY-NC 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Opposing trends in early-onset dementia incidence across subtypes in Finland, 2016–2024
AU - J Pöyhönen
AU - J Reinikainen
AU - E Lindell
AU - K Sarttila
AU - H M Roitto
AU - T Ngandu
AU - S Parikka
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - The European Journal of Public Health
DO - 10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1099
UR - https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckag169.1099
AB - Background: Early-onset dementia (EOD) poses a major public health and economic challenge. Epidemiological studies have shown heterogenous incidence and prevalence rates due to varying inclusion criteria and data sources. Using comprehensive register data covering Finnish adult population and all health care sectors, we estimated the annual incidence of EOD, including subtypes, in Finland during 2016–2024. We also estimated the prevalence of EOD and the distribution of diagnoses in specialized, primary, and private sectors in 2024. Methods: This retrospective observational nationwide register-based study included new EOD cases in individuals aged 30–64 years during 2016–2024. Data were obtained from the Finnish Care Register for Health Care and the Register of Primary Health Care Visits, compiled with medication purchase data. Dementia diagnoses were identified using ICD-10 and ICPC codes, supplemented by records of anti-dementia medication use. Prevalence rate in 2024, and annual incidence rates were calculated using population statistics. Results: In 2024, the age- and sex-standardized incidence rate of EOD was 42/100,000, and the prevalence was 256/100,000. Alzheimer’s disease was the most common diagnosis (38%), followed by unspecified (21%), frontotemporal (11%), and vascular dementias (11%). The trend of EOD incidence remained stable in 2016–2024. The incidence of alcohol-related dementias decreased markedly, while Alzheimer’s disease, vascular and frontotemporal dementias showed an increasing trend. Approx. 72% of EODs were diagnosed in specialized health care, 18% in primary care, and 10% in private sector. Conclusions: The overall incidence and prevalence of EOD seem to be higher than previously reported when considering all dementia subtypes and all health care providers. Underestimation of incidence could lead to insufficient resources. Strengthening collaboration across health care sectors could integrate diagnostic services in people with EOD. Key messages: • The incidence and prevalence of early-onset dementia (EOD) seem to be higher than previously reported. Alcohol-related dementia incidence is decreasing, while other common subtypes are increasing. • Even though the majority of EODs are diagnosed in specialized health care, over one quarter are diagnosed in primary care or the private sector, which calls for cross-sector coordination.
SN - 1101-1262
SN - 1464-360X
ER -