Cultural diversity in dementia diagnosis Dr. Naaheed Mukadam UCLH NIHR BRC Senior Research Fellow University College London
Cultural diversity in dementia
diagnosis
Dr. Naaheed Mukadam
UCLH NIHR BRC Senior Research Fellow
University College London
Talk outline
• Definitions
• Cultural diversity in epidemiology, diagnosis,
treatment and care
• Questions
Dementia
• Acquired impairment in cognitive function with
impact on daily function
• Affects 850,000 people with dementia in the UK,
with numbers set to rise to over 1 million by
2025. This will soar to 2 million by 2051
• Numbers increasing worldwide due to ageing
population but reduced age-specific incidence
and prevalence in many countries
Cultural diversity
• “the existence of a variety of cultural or ethnic
groups within a society”
• Minority ethnic groups
• 87% White or White British
• 13% minority overall
• Main groups are South Asians and Black
population
Epidemiology
• Risk factors
• Prevalence
• Incidence
Prevalence and incidence
Getting a diagnosis
Symptom recognition
Help-seeking
Assessment
Help-seeking
Detect symptoms
Assume aetiology
Seek help
Stigma
Beliefs
about
healthcare
system
Diagnosis
• Late in BAME groups
• In crisis
• Many don’t get a diagnosis
• Worse outcomes
Differences in diagnosis
• CRIS data – secondary mental health care
electronic records, younger age and lower MMSE
at first diagnosis
• Accuracy of diagnosis in primary care
• Dementia severity at death
How to help
• Greater awareness
among healthcare
professionals
• Community centres
• Religious
organisations
Diagnostic tools
• MMSE – modifications to take cultural and
educational differences into account
• Structured diagnostic tools
Treatments
Medication
CST
Risk assessment
START
Care
• Residential and nursing home
• End of life
Any questions?