Abstract
ABSTRACT.In July 2019, a group of multidisciplinary dementia researchers from Brazil and the United Kingdom (UK) met in the city of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil, to discuss and propose solutions to current challenges faced in the diagnosis, public perception and care of dementia. Here we summarize the outcomes from the workshop addressing challenges in diagnosis. Brazil faces a major problem in dementia underdiagnosis, particularly involving the population in an adverse socioeconomic context. There is poor availability of resources and specialists, and the knowledge of general practitioners and other healthcare professionals is far from satisfactory. Low education level is a further obstacle in diagnosing dementia, as the most commonly used screening tests are not designed to evaluate this population. Patients and their families must overcome the stigma of a diagnosis of dementia, which is still prevalent in Brazil and increases the burden of this condition. Whilst the UK has greater resources, dedicated memory services and a National Dementia Strategy plan, the National Health Service (NHS) has limited funding. Therefore, some challenges regarding diagnosis are common across both countries. The authors suggest possible solutions to confront these, with the goal of improving assessment and recognition of dementia and reducing misdiagnosis.
Highlights
The upcoming decades will see a rise in the prevalence of dementia, especially in developing countries
Take a long time to reach a diagnosis of dementia, which is an issue in Brazil
In the United Kingdom (UK), diagnosis and support of vascular dementia need particular improvement, since many patients are turned away from memory clinics if the cognitive decline is deemed vascular in aetiology, for example if they have a history of stroke
Summary
The upcoming decades will see a rise in the prevalence of dementia, especially in developing countries. Besides that, waiting lists are often long, and for those who live in remote areas, access may not be feasible It can, take a long time to reach a diagnosis of dementia, which is an issue in Brazil. In the UK, diagnosis and support of vascular dementia need particular improvement, since many patients are turned away from memory clinics if the cognitive decline is deemed vascular in aetiology, for example if they have a history of stroke. This is mainly due to the uncertainty regarding trajectory of vascular cognitive impairment. Since the process of receiving a diagnosis can be timely and involves numerous stages, it is important that patients and families are kept informed of the timelines, what investigations are taking place, and why they are happening
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