Clinical profiles and diagnostic trends in Alzheimer's disease: A retrospective observational study

Background and objectives. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the leading cause of dementia globally, with cases expected to rise from 50 million to 152 million by 2050, mostly in developing countries. Despite this growing burden, research on AD in African contexts remains limited. This study aims to identify the risk factors, disease progression, and presenting symptoms of AD in the Algerian population. Materials and methods. This retrospective study analyzed patient records from two specialized neurological institutions in Algeria that serve multiple provinces. Clinical and demographic data were extracted, including age, sex, comorbidities, reasons for consultation, neuroimaging findings, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, and family history of AD. Results. Most patients were between 61 and 80 years old, with a notable predominance of women (61%). The most common comorbidities were hypertension (53.9%) and diabetes (11.7%). Memory impairment, often accompanied by sleep disturbances or behavioral changes, was the leading reason for seeking medical attention. Neuroimaging commonly revealed two patterns of brain atrophy: cortical-subcortical and bilateral hippocampal. Eighty-five percent of patients were diagnosed at mild to moderate stages of the disease. A family history of AD was reported by 25.34% of patients, with the majority involving maternal relatives. Conclusions. Our findings highlight the urgent need for earlier diagnosis, enhanced public awareness, and the development of context-sensitive care strategies tailored to the Algerian setting. Advancing our understanding of the regional dynamics of AD is critical for mitigating its impact across North Africa.