A statistics shows that the number of dementia patients has doubled in fewer than five years in Korea. (image: Kobiz Media / Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Sept. 30 (Korea Bizwire) – Dementia, a damaging disease that devastates not only patients but also their families, is rapidly growing in Korean society as a statistics shows that the number of dementia patients has doubled in fewer than five years.
According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), the number of the patients increased to 405,000 in 2013 from 217,000 in 2009, an 87.2 percent increase.
By gender, female patients were 290,000, 2.5 times more than male patients of 115,000. By age, patients aged 70 or more accounted for 86.9 percent and followed by those in their 60s (9.9%), 50s (2.9%) and 40s (0.5%). Especially, among those aged over 70, one out of ten underwent medical treatment due to the disease.
Alzheimer’s disease which destroys patients’ memories and cognitive abilities is a major cause for dementia. Besides, depression, drug and alcohol may cause the disease.
An official at the HIRA said, “To prevent dementia, one should use one’s brain through exercises and reading and avoid alcohol and tobacco. Most of all, medical check-ups are strongly recommended for the early diagnosis.”
By John Choi (johnchoi@koreabizwire.com)
