This review examines sex differences in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) across epidemiology, clinical features, pathology, biomarkers, progression, and caregiving. While many studies report higher DLB prevalence in men, findings are inconsistent. Men more often show parkinsonism and REM sleep behavior disorder, whereas women more frequently experience early visual hallucinations and greater cognitive impairment at presentation. Women are typically older and meet DLB diagnostic criteria later than men. Coexisting Alzheimer’s disease pathology is more common in women, while men more often present with “pure” Lewy body disease. Evidence regarding sex-related differences in disease progression is mixed, and data on sex-specific biomarkers or treatment responses are scarce. Understanding these sex differences is essential for developing tailored approaches to diagnosis, management, and therapeutic research in DLB.
Author(s):
Chiu, Shannon Y. et al.
References including authors (Vancouver referencing style):
Chiu SY, Wyman-Chick KA, Ferman TJ, Bayram E, Holden SK, Choudhury P, Armstrong MJ. Sex differences in dementia with Lewy bodies: Focused review of available evidence and future directions. Parkinsonism Relat Disord. 2023 Feb;107:105285. doi:10.1016/j.parkreldis.2023.105285