According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 57 million people had dementia worldwide. Almost 10 million new cases occur annually. More alarming is that the symptoms of dementia often deviate, and for a new study will take years to get diagnosed after the first symptoms A study led by the University College researchers in London (UCL) showed that after the emergence of initial symptoms, it would take an average of 3.5 years. People with dementia of the early start can take longer (4.1 years). The conclusions were published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.Dementia and symptoms
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Dementia is a common term used for several diseases that cause memory loss, language, problem solving and other thinking abilities that affect the ability to carry out daily activity. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia.Symptoms of dementia worsen over time and eventually affect daily activity. Often mood and behavior changes appear before the memory problems begin.Some of the early signs and symptoms include:
- Forgetting things or recent events
- Loss either incorrect position
- get lost when walking or driving
- confused, even in familiar places
- Loss of time
- difficulties in solving problems or decision -making
- Problems after talking or problems with word search
- difficulties with performing familiar tasks
- Incorrect distances to objects visually.
Mood changes and behavior include:
- Feeling anxious, sad or evil on memory loss
- Changes in the individual
- inadequate behavior
- Withdrawal from work or social activity
- less interested in other people’s emotions.
Why is the diagnosis of dementia delayed
The last study showed strange details on why the diagnosis of dementia takes so much time. This is the first systematic review and metoanalysis of global evidence to study the diagnosis time during dementia. To understand why the diagnosis requires time, the researchers analyzed data from 13 previously published research in Europe, the US, Australia and China, reporting 30 257 participants.They examined the average interval between the symptoms (evaluated by patients or family caregivers who use interviews or medical documents) to a final diagnosis of dementia.“Timely diagnosis of dementia remains the main global problem, which is determined by a complex set of factors, and for its improvement it is necessary to urgently improve specific health strategies. Other studies believe that only 50-65% of cases are ever diagnosed in high income countries, in many countries there are even lower diagnoses. Timely diagnosis can improve access to therapies, and for some people prolong the time living with mild dementia before symptoms deteriorate “, lead author The statement said that Vasilik Orgheta (UCL psychiatry) said. From the analysis of data, the researchers found that usually 3,5 years from the first appearance of symptoms to the patient who is diagnosed with dementia. In the case of dementia of the early occurrence, this may be 4.1 years, and in some other groups there may be more delay.
“Our work emphasizes the need for the exact conceptual basis in a timely manner for the diagnosis in the dementia developed in cooperation with people with dementia, their caregivers and supporters,” added Dr. Orget. “Symptoms of dementia are often mistaken for normal aging, while fear, stigma and low awareness in society can prevent people from seeking help,” said Dr. Plung Long (UCL psychiatry).Professor Rafael Del-Pinchada from Spain University Yaen said: “Within the framework of health care systems, contradictory ways of referral, limited access to specialists and outpatient clinics, can create additional delays. For some, linguistic differences or lack of cultural evaluation instruments can make access to timely diagnosis even more complicated. “
“To accelerate the diagnosis of dementia, we need actions on several fronts. Company to inform the public can help improve the understanding of early symptoms and reduce the stigma, encouraging people to seek help faster. They need it, ”the Argeta added.
