South Carolina Alzheimer's Disease Registry: A Preview for the Nation

The South Carolina Alzheimer's Disease Registry has identified 165,597 individuals with Alzheimer's disease and related disorders (ADRD) in South Carolina (SC) since its inception in 1988. As of January 1, 2008, the most recent year for which data is available, there were 69,404 individuals living with ADRD in SC. The strength of the Registry lies in its longevity and its vast number of resources. The Registry is able to study minority populations traditionally underrepresented in clinical studies and identify dementias related to medical conditions such as HIV/AIDS, Pick's, and Parkinson's diseases. Overall, the number of new individuals identified with ADRD has increased from 2004-2008 at an average percent change of 2.9%. The greatest average increase has occurred in the 50-64 age group and among those diagnosed with dementia related to medical conditions. Since 2004, there has been a consistent yearly percentage increase in the number of diagnosed cases of ADRD among non-Hispanic whites, while fluctuations have been present in the number of newly identified cases among African Americans. Yet, results reveal that African Americans are at significantly higher risk of ADRD than non-Hispanic whites, being 1.81 times more likely at ages 65 and older. Results foreshadow future ADRD incidence and prevalence among the “baby boomer” generation who began turning age 65 in 2011, show improvements in ADRD diagnoses to more specific types, and reveal continued health disparities among minority populations in the diagnosis and prevalence of ADRD.