Over- and under-diagnosis of dementia in ethnic minorities: a nationwide register-based study.
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry
; 26(11): 1128-35, 2011 Nov.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-21194100
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Among dementia professionals in several European countries, it is believed that dementia is under-diagnosed and under-treated to a greater extent among ethnic minorities than in the native population. It is unknown whether this belief holds true. The objective of this study was to compare the prevalence of register-based dementia diagnoses in the largest ethnic minority groups in Denmark with the prevalence of register-based dementia diagnoses in the general Danish population.METHODS:
By linking the Danish hospital registers with the Danish Civil Registration System, nationwide dementia cases for three main ethnic minorities were identified. Age- and gender-specific prevalence rates for dementia were calculated and compared to previously published data for the general population.RESULTS:
The study population consisted of 68 219 persons aged 20 and older. A total of 174 dementia cases were identified. The mean age at diagnosis was 57.7 years (SD = 16.2). Compared to the general population, there was a higher prevalence of dementia among those younger than 60 years, and a markedly lower prevalence of dementia among those 60 years and older.CONCLUSIONS:
Dementia is under-diagnosed to a greater extent among ethnic minorities in the age group 60 years and older but is over-diagnosed in the age group younger than 60 years. Several factors may contribute to this pattern, including cultural differences in help-seeking behaviour, and problems in navigating the health-care system. Furthermore, cross-cultural assessment of dementia can be difficult because of language barriers and cultural differences.
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Etnicidade
/
Demência
/
Erros de Diagnóstico
/
Grupos Minoritários
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
País/Região como assunto:
Asia
/
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Int J Geriatr Psychiatry
Assunto da revista:
GERIATRIA
/
PSIQUIATRIA
Ano de publicação:
2011
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Dinamarca