The Egyptian Dementia Network (EDN): Baseline characteristics from the first dementia registry in an African Arab country

Abstract

Introduction: Dementia is a growing public health challenge in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) like Egypt, where data are scarce. The Egyptian Dementia Network (EDN) registry addresses this gap by capturing epidemiological, clinical, and environmental data across Egypt.

Methods: In this multicenter study, 662 participants from six governorates were enrolled using standardized tools.

Results: The cohort had advanced age (mean 68.3 years), low education (65.9% illiterate), and high comorbidities including hypertension (55%) and diabetes (23%). Alzheimer's disease (62%) and vascular dementia (23%) predominated. Only 24.4% received pharmacological treatment and 2.1% psychosocial support, highlighting care gaps. Household insecticide exposure (20.4%) was notable.

Discussion: EDN demonstrates the feasibility of implementing a national dementia registry in LMICs, generating baseline insights into demographic, clinical, and environmental risks. In addition, registry-linked biosamples have enabled pilot multi‑omics and exposome analyses, underscoring its potential as a scalable scientific platform for future dementia research.

Highlights: Established Egypt's first national, multicenter dementia registry. Aimed to characterize dementia profiles and care gaps across diverse regions. Identified late-stage diagnosis and limited access to dementia interventions. Uncovered unique environmental risk factors relevant to the Egyptian context. Provides a foundation for policy, research, and improved dementia care in Egypt.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; Egypt; LMIC; dementia; diagnosis; environmental exposure; low‐ and middle‐income country; multimorbidity; registry; risk factors.