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Assessment of dementia in ethnic minority patients in Europe: a European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium survey

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 July 2010

T. Rune Nielsen ,
Asmus Vogel ,
Matthias W. Riepe ,
Alexandre de Mendonça ,
Guido Rodriguez ,
Flavio Nobili ,
Anders Gade  and
Gunhild Waldemar
T. Rune Nielsen*
Affiliation:
Memory Disorders Research Group, Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Asmus Vogel
Affiliation:
Memory Disorders Research Group, Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
Matthias W. Riepe
Affiliation:
Division of Mental Health and Old Age Psychiatry, Psychiatry II, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
Alexandre de Mendonça
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neurosciences, Institute of Molecular Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Portugal
Guido Rodriguez
Affiliation:
Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Ophthalmology and Genetics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Flavio Nobili
Affiliation:
Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, Ophthalmology and Genetics, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy
Anders Gade
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Gunhild Waldemar
Affiliation:
Memory Disorders Research Group, Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: T. Rune Nielsen, Memory Disorders Research Group, section 7661, Department of Neurology, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, DK-2100 Copenhagen Ø, Denmark. Phone: +45 35 45 87 59; Fax: +45 35 45 53 23. Email: rune.nielsen@rh.regionh.dk.
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Abstract

Background: In most European countries the ethnic minority migrant populations are currently reaching an age where dementia becomes an increasingly important issue. There is no European consensus on good clinical practice with these patient groups, who often have special needs and expectations with regard to dementia services.

Methods: A survey was conducted in clinical dementia centers in 15 European countries. Questionnaires focusing on different points in the clinical assessment of dementia in ethnic minority patients were mailed to leading dementia experts of the European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium.

Results: Thirty-six centers from 15 countries responded to the survey. Ethnic minority patients were seen on a regular basis in 69% of these centers. The diagnostic evaluation was in accordance with evidence-based clinical guidelines in 84–100% of the centers, but most centers performed cognitive assessment with instruments that are only validated in Western cultures and frequently relied on family members for interpretation. Diagnostic evaluation of the patients was considered to be challenging in 64% of the centers, mainly because of communication problems and lack of adequate assessment tools. In general, there were few indicators of culturally sensitive dementia services in the centers.

Conclusions: Ethnic minority patients are seen on a regular basis in European dementia clinics. Assessment of such patients is difficult for a number of reasons. Results from this study show that the most challenging issues are communication problems and assessment of cognitive function where there is a need to develop specific tests for ethnic minority patients.

Keywords

Ethnic minoritydementiasurveyquestionnaireassessmentdiagnosis
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 23 , Issue 1 , February 2011 , pp. 86 - 95
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2010

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