Journal Article

The prevalence of apathy in Lewy body dementia: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

Loi, Samantha M., Churilov, Leonid, Yassi, Nawaf, Yu, Jenny Jia, Chin, Kai Sin, Loveland, Paula M., Watson, Rosie

2025

Overview

INTRODUCTION Apathy is an important syndrome in Lewy body dementia (LBD), although reported prevalences vary. We aimed to estimate the prevalence of apathy in LBD through systematic review and meta‐analysis. METHODS Five databases were searched for articles reporting the prevalence of apathy in LBD (dementia with Lewy bodies [DLB] and Parkinson's disease dementia [PDD]) and prodromal/mild cognitive impairment (MCI) LBD. Linear mixed model random effect meta‐analysis was performed to determine the prevalence of apathy. RESULTS Of 7846 articles identified, 49 met inclusion criteria. The average pooled prevalence of apathy was 57% (95% confidence interval [CI] 52%–63%, I2 = 85.6%) in DLB, 56% (95% CI 43%–70%, I2 = 97.6%) in PDD, 46% (95% CI 32%–61%, I2 = 90.6%) in Lewy body‐MCI, and 38% (95% CI 25%–50%, I2 = 88.1%) in Parkinson's disease‐MCI. DISCUSSION Apathy affects more than half of individuals with LBD. The high prevalence in prodromal DLB supports the notion that apathy may assist in more timely and accurate diagnosis of DLB. Highlights Reported apathy prevalence in Lewy body dementia (LBD) varies widely in the existing literature. The pooled prevalence of apathy was > 50% in LBD and > 40% in prodromal disease stages. Apathy may have utility in earlier, more accurate diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies.

• Subject: apathy / Apathy - physiology / behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia / Cognitive Dysfunction - psychology / Humans / Lewy body dementia / Lewy Body Disease - epidemiology / Lewy Body Disease - psychology / neuropsychiatric symptoms / Parkinson Disease - psychology / Parkinson's disease dementia / Prevalence / prodromal dementia with Lewy bodies / systematic review