Original Investigation

Incidence and Prevalence of Dementia With Lewy Bodies

JAMA Neurology 10.1001/jamaneurol.2026.1206

May 11, 2026 at 11:00 AM EDT

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What are the incidence and prevalence of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) in population-based studies?In this systematic review and meta-analysis, including 16 population-based studies from diverse world regions, the pooled incidence of DLB was 4.79 per 100 000 person-years. Incidence and prevalence rose sharply with age and were higher in males, and only 1 study reported all-age prevalence (19.13 per 100 000).DLB is a predominantly late-onset dementia with higher frequency than several other uncommon neurodegenerative disorders; standardized diagnostic practices and inclusion of underrepresented regions are essential to refine global estimates and guide policy and health care planning.

Corresponding Author: Daniele Urso, MD, MPH, Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases and the Aging Brain, Department of Clinical Research in Neurology, University of Bari ‘Aldo Moro’, “Pia Fondazione Cardinale G. Panico”, Via S. Pio X 4, 73039, Tricase, Lecce, Italy (danieleurso010@gmail.com).

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