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

## TL;DR

The Egyptian Dementia Network (EDN) is the first dementia registry in an African Arab country, providing insights into dementia profiles, care gaps, and environmental risks in Egypt.

## Contribution

Established Egypt's first national, multicenter dementia registry to address data scarcity in low- and middle-income countries.

## Key findings

- The cohort had advanced age, low education, and high comorbidities like hypertension and diabetes.
- Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia were the most common diagnoses.
- Only a small percentage of participants received pharmacological treatment or psychosocial support.

## Abstract

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Overview of the Egyptian Dementia Network (EDN) registry highlighting multiple centers’ inclusion, cohort demographics, dementia diagnosis, and interventions.