Undiagnosed covid suspected of causing 'staggering' increase in dementia deaths

Figures published by the Office for National Statistics suggest that aside from covid-19, dementia and Alzheimer’s caused the largest increase in deaths between 13 March and 1 May.

During that period, there were 5,404 excess dementia and Alzheimer’s deaths in England and Wales - which the ONS said represented a rise of 52 per cent on the five-year average. Care home residents accounted for the bulk of the increase, while the spike was far more pronounced for women.

The overall stats suggested there were 46,380 excess deaths from all causes over the same period, of which around 33,480 mentioned covid-19 on the death certificate. The ONS has offered various potential explanations for the remaining excess deaths, including where a patient had coronavirus - but this was not mentioned on the death certificate - as well as potential delays in accessing care.

Fiona Carragher, director of policy at Alzheimer’s Society said: “We already knew people with dementia have been worst hit by the virus, accounting for a quarter of all the deaths we’ve seen. But this 52 per cent increase in excess deaths of people with dementia during the pandemic is staggering. It is the largest surge in deaths of any health condition.

“In care homes, we suspect isolation, fewer visitors, the resulting onset of depression, as well as interruption to health services are contributing, but there is surely also underreporting of covid-19 deaths. Early research is showing many people with dementia don’t display typical symptoms, or may even be asymptomatic. We must have regular testing of all care home staff and residents to keep people safe.”

In its analysis of the figures, the ONS said the sudden rise in dementia and Alzheimer’s deaths is so sharp it’s “implausible” the full increase could have happened by chance, and noted an “absence” of large rises in deaths due to this cause which mention conditions that could exhibit similar symptoms to covid-19.

But it added: “In someone with advanced dementia and Alzheimer disease, the symptoms of covid-19 might be difficult to distinguish from their underlying illness, especially with the possibility of communication difficulties.”

Paul Edwards, director of clinical services at Dementia UK, said: “These are harrowing statistics which point to the need to urgently address the situation for people diagnosed with dementia, their families and those caring and supporting them in a professional capacity.”

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesman said: ‘‘This is an unprecedented pandemic and we have seen around the world that the virus can have a devastating impact on some of the most vulnerable people - our thoughts are with everyone who has sadly lost loved ones.

“We have always been transparent about the way we are reporting covid-19 deaths and are working closely with the ONS, Public Health England and the Care Quality Commission to further understand both the virus and causes of excess deaths.”