Prognosis of Alzheimer's Disease

Prognosis of Alzheimer's Disease: Poor. Progressive deterioration from 5-20 years.

Prognosis for Alzheimer's Disease: AD is a progressive disease. The course of the disease varies from person to person. Some people have the disease only for the last 5 years of life, while others may have it for as many as 20 years. The most common cause of death in AD patients is infection. (Source: excerpt from NINDS Alzheimer's Disease Information Page: NINDS)

Average life years lost from Alzheimer's Disease: 6.8 years (SEER)¹; 7.7 in North Carolina².

Deaths from Alzheimer's Disease: 53,852 deaths in USA 2001 (CDC); 44,536 annual deaths (NVSR Sep 2001)

Cause of death rank: 8th leading cause of death in 1999 and 2000 (CDC)

Estimated mortality rate for Alzheimer's Disease from prevalence and deaths statistics:

• Deaths: 53,852 (USA annual deaths calculated from this data: 53,852 deaths in USA 2001 (CDC); 44,536 annual deaths (NVSR Sep 2001))
• Incidence: 4,000,000 (USA prevalence calculated from this data: more than 4 million Americans (CDC); estimated 4 million people in the U.S (NHWIC)
• 1.3% (ratio of deaths to prevalence).

Complications: see complications of Alzheimer's Disease

Prognosis of Alzheimer's Disease discussion:

Alzheimer's Disease: NWHIC (Excerpt)

AD is a slow disease, starting with mild memory problems and ending with severe mental damage. The course the disease takes and how fast changes occur vary from person to person. Some people only have the disease for 5 years, while others may have it for as many as 20 years. (Source: excerpt from Alzheimer's Disease: NWHIC)

The Numbers Count: NIMH (Excerpt)

The duration of illness, from onset of symptoms to death, averages 8 to 10 years. (Source: excerpt from The Numbers Count: NIMH)

NIA's Progress Report on Alzheimer's Disease, 1998: NIA (Excerpt)

The course of this disease varies from person to person, as does the rate of decline. On average, AD patients live for 8 to 10 years after they are diagnosed; however, the disease can last for up to 20 years. (Source: excerpt from NIA's Progress Report on Alzheimer's Disease, 1998: NIA)

Research More About Alzheimer's Disease

• Introduction: Alzheimer's Disease
• Deaths: Alzheimer's Disease
• Symptoms: Alzheimer's Disease
• Complications: Alzheimer's Disease
• Treatments: Alzheimer's Disease

About prognosis:

The 'prognosis' of Alzheimer's Disease usually refers to the likely outcome of Alzheimer's Disease. The prognosis of Alzheimer's Disease may include the duration of Alzheimer's Disease, chances of complications of Alzheimer's Disease, probable outcomes, prospects for recovery, recovery period for Alzheimer's Disease, survival rates, death rates, and other outcome possibilities in the overall prognosis of Alzheimer's Disease. Naturally, such forecast issues are by their nature unpredictable.