SynthesisNeurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology2026
The prevalence of frontotemporal dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Neurological sciences : official journal of the Italian Neurological Society and of the Italian Society of Clinical Neurophysiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
0 citing papers in PubMed.
No citing paper in PubMed yet.
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
4 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundFrontotemporal dementia (FTD) is a leading cause of early-onset dementia in individuals under 65. Despite its significant burden, a comprehensive synthesis of its global prevalence is lacking. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the worldwide prevalence of FTD.
methodsWe systematically searched multiple databases for epidemiological studies on FTD prevalence published up to October 31, 2025. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were conducted by geographic region, age range, and diagnostic criteria era. We systematically searched multiple databases for epidemiological studies on FTD prevalence published up to October 31, 2025. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. Subgroup analyses were conducted by geographic region, age range, and diagnostic criteria era.
resultsA total of 21 studies, encompassing 38,656, 516 individuals, were included. The pooled global prevalence of FTD was 30 cases per 100,000 population (0.03%, 95% CI: 0.01% to 0.12%), with extreme heterogeneity (I² = 100%). Subgroup analyses revealed associations between prevalence and age range (P=0.01), but not by region (P=0.38) or diagnostic criteria era (P=0.28). Visual inspection of the funnel plot suggested asymmetry, though Egger's test showed no significant small-study effects (P = 0.254).
conclusionThe reported prevalence varied widely across studies. Although the overall estimated prevalence is relatively low, the substantial variability and study limitations warrant cautious interpretation. This study provides a benchmark estimate for global FTD prevalence and underscores the urgent need for more high-quality, population-based epidemiological studies, particularly in underrepresented regions like China, to guide effective public health strategies.
Indexed as
Identifiers
42684472What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.