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Individuals with dementia are identified a mean of three.5 years after signs are first seen, and even longer (4.1 years) for these with early-onset dementia, finds a brand new examine led by UCL researchers.
The examine, printed within the Worldwide Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, is the primary systematic evaluate and meta-analysis of worldwide proof inspecting time to analysis in dementia.
The researchers reviewed information from 13 beforehand printed research which passed off in Europe, the US, Australia and China, reporting information on 30,257 contributors.
The analysis crew was investigating the typical interval between symptom onset (rated by sufferers or household caregivers utilizing interviews or medical information) to the ultimate analysis of dementia.
Lead writer Dr. Vasiliki Orgeta (UCL Division of Psychiatry) stated, “Well timed analysis of dementia stays a significant world problem, formed by a posh set of things, and particular well being care methods are urgently wanted to enhance it. Different research estimate that solely 50–65% of instances are ever identified in high-income nations, with many nations having even decrease diagnostic charges.
“Timely diagnosis can improve access to treatments and for some people prolong the time living with mild dementia before symptoms worsen.”
In a pooled meta-analysis of 10 of the included research, the researchers discovered that it sometimes takes 3.5 years from the primary alert of signs till a affected person receives a analysis of dementia, or 4.1 years for these with early-onset dementia, with some teams extra more likely to expertise longer delays.
The crew discovered that youthful age at onset and having frontotemporal dementia have been each linked to an extended time to analysis. Whereas information on racial disparities was restricted, one of many research reviewed discovered that Black sufferers tended to expertise an extended delay earlier than analysis.
Dr. Orgeta stated, “Our work highlights the need for a clear conceptual framework on time to diagnosis of dementia, developed in collaboration with people with dementia, their caregivers, and supporters.”
Dr. Phuong Leung (UCL Division of Psychiatry) added, “Symptoms of dementia are often mistaken for normal aging, while fear, stigma, and low public awareness can discourage people from seeking help.”
Professor Rafael Del-Pino-Casado, of the College of Jaén, Spain, famous, “Within health care systems, inconsistent referral pathways, limited access to specialists, and under-resourced memory clinics can create further delays. For some, language differences or a lack of culturally appropriate assessment tools can make access to timely diagnosis even harder.”
Dr. Orgeta added, “To speed up dementia diagnosis, we need action on multiple fronts. Public awareness campaigns can help improve understanding of early symptoms and reduce stigma, encouraging people to seek help sooner. Clinician training is critical to improve early recognition and referral, along with access to early intervention and individualized support so that people with dementia and their families can get the help they need.”
Extra info:
Worldwide Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry (2025). DOI: 10.1002/gps.70129
Offered by
College School London
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Dementia takes 3.5 years to diagnose after signs start (2025, July 27)
retrieved 27 July 2025
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