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Characteristics of people living with undiagnosed dementia findings from the CFAS Wales study.pdf (767.39 kB)

Characteristics of people living with undiagnosed dementia: findings from the CFAS Wales study

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posted on 2023-06-10, 05:05 authored by Laura D Gamble, Fiona E Matthews, Ian R Jones, Alex E Hillman, Bbob Woods, Catherine A Macleod, Anthony Martyr, Rachel Collins, Claire Pentecost, Jennifer Rusted, Linda Clare
Background: Many people living with dementia remain undiagnosed, with diagnosis usually occurring long after signs and symptoms are present. A timely diagnosis is important for the wellbeing of the person living with dementia and the family, allowing them to plan and have access to support services sooner. The aim of this study was to identify demographic characteristics and neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with being undiagnosed, which may help clinicians be more aware of signs that could be indicative of early-stage or undetected dementia. Methods: This cross-sectional study uses data from waves 1 and 2 (two years apart) of the Cognitive Function and Ageing Studies Wales (CFAS Wales). CFAS Wales participants were included who had a study assessment of dementia, as determined by the Automated Geriatric Examination for Computer Assisted Taxonomy (AGECAT) algorithm and by expert assessment, and who had had their primary care records checked for a clinical diagnosis of dementia. We identified 19 people with a diagnosis of dementia and 105 people living with undiagnosed dementia, and explored demographic characteristics and the presence or absence of a range of neuropsychiatric symptoms in the undiagnosed population using logistic regression. Results: Findings suggest that people living with dementia who have better cognition, have more years of education, or live in more deprived areas are less likely to have a diagnosis. In terms of neuropsychiatric symptoms, depression and sleep problems were associated with being undiagnosed. Apathy was common across all people living with dementia, but those with a diagnosis were more likely to have severe apathy. Conclusions: This study has clinical practice implications as the findings may help clinicians be more aware of characteristics and symptoms of people who are undiagnosed or who are at greater risk of remaining undiagnosed, enabling them to be more vigilant in picking up signs of dementia at an earlier stage.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Published version

Journal

BMC Geriatrics

ISSN

1471-2318

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Volume

22

Page range

409 1-12

Event location

England

Department affiliated with

  • Psychology Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2022-10-13

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2022-10-13

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2022-10-13

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