The estimated prevalence of no reported dementia-related diagnosis in older Americans living with possible dementia by healthcare utilization.

TitleThe estimated prevalence of no reported dementia-related diagnosis in older Americans living with possible dementia by healthcare utilization.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2022
AuthorsParker, K, Vincent, B, Rhee, Y, Choi, B-J, Robinson-Lane, SG, Hamm, JM, Klawitter, L, Jurivich, DA, McGrath, RP
JournalAging Clinical and Experimental Research
Volume34
Issue2
Pagination359-365
ISSN Number1720-8319
KeywordsAlzheimer disease, Geriatric Assessment, Geriatrics, Mental Status and Dementia Tests
Abstract

BACKGROUND: Screening for dementia in relevant healthcare settings may help in identifying low cognitive functioning for comprehensive cognitive assessments and subsequent dementia treatment after diagnosis.

AIMS: This study sought to estimate the prevalence of no reported dementia-related diagnosis in a nationally-representative sample of older Americans with a cognitive impairment consistent with dementia (CICD) by healthcare utilization.

METHODS: The unweighted analytical sample included 1514 Americans aged ≥ 65 years that were identified as having a CICD without history of stroke, cancers, neurological conditions, or brain damage who participated in at least one-wave of the 2010-2016 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. An adapted Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status assessed cognitive functioning. Those with scores ≤ 6 had a CICD. Dementia-related diagnosis was self-reported. Respondents indicated if they visited a physician, received home healthcare, or experienced an overnight nursing home stay in the previous two years.

RESULTS: The prevalence of no reported dementia-related diagnosis in persons with a CICD who visited a physician was 89.9% (95% confidence interval (CI): 85.4%-93.1%). Likewise, the prevalence of no reported diagnosis in those with a CICD who received home healthcare was 84.3% (CI: 75.1-90.5%). For persons with a CICD that had an overnight nursing home stay, the prevalence of no reported dementia-related diagnosis was 83.0% (CI: 69.1-91.4%).

DISCUSSION: Although the prevalence of no reported dementia-related diagnosis in individuals with a CICD differed across healthcare settings, the prevalence was generally high nonetheless.

CONCLUSIONS: We recommend increased awareness and efforts be given to dementia screenings in various clinical settings.

DOI10.1007/s40520-021-01980-2
Citation Key11855
PubMed ID34524654
PubMed Central IDPMC8925882