MEN diagnosed with dementia face a higher risk of mortality and hospitalisation than women, with male patients also using more health care services in the years following diagnosis. These findings emerged from a large nationwide analysis of older adults living with dementia in the United States.
Dementia affects millions of people worldwide, often placing a substantial burden on health care systems and families. Research into sex differences has highlighted that not only is dementia more common among women, but men with the condition may fare worse in terms of survival and overall health after diagnosis. Understanding these disparities could help target resources and improve care for those most at risk.
Researchers analysed Medicare records for 5,721,711 adults aged 65 and older diagnosed with dementia from 2014 to 2021. Of these, 3,302,579 were female and 2,419,132 were male. Over one year, male patients showed higher crude mortality rates of 27.2 per cent, compared with 21.8 per cent for female patients. Hospitalisation rates were also higher in men (50.5 per cent vs 46.9 per cent). Adjusted for age, ethnicity, Medicaid eligibility, comorbidity burden, and health care access, being male was associated with a 24 per cent higher risk of all-cause mortality and an 8 per cent increased risk of hospitalisation. Men were more likely to receive hospice care and neuroimaging and had more hospital admissions for neurodegenerative or behavioural problems.
Clinically, these results underscore the importance of recognising elevated risks among male dementia patients and tailoring strategies to address their specific needs, particularly in reducing hospital admissions and improving survival. Interventions to manage comorbidities and support outpatient care may be especially beneficial for men. Given the higher overall incidence of dementia in women, a broader focus on prevention and early intervention is needed to ensure equitable outcomes for both sexes in dementia care.
Reference
Lusk JB et al. Sex differences in mortality and health care utilization after dementia diagnosis. JAMA Neurol. 2025;DOI:10.1001/jamaneurol.2025.2236.
