Incidence, age at diagnosis and survival with dementia across ethnic groups in England: A longitudinal study using electronic health records.

Abstract

We investigated the incidence of diagnosed dementia and whether age at diagnosis and survival afterward differs among the United Kingdom's three largest ethnic groups. We used primary care electronic health records, linked Hospital Episode Statistics and mortality data for adults aged ≥65 years. We compared recorded dementia incidence 1997-2018, age at diagnosis, survival time and age at death after diagnosis in White, South Asian, and Black people. Dementia incidence was higher in Black people (incidence rate ratios [IRR] 1.22, 95% CI 1.15-1.30). South Asian and Black people with dementia had a younger age of death than White participants (mean difference for South Asian participants -2.97 years, (95% CI -3.41 to -2.53); and Black participants -2.66 years, (95% CI -3.08 to -2.24). South Asian and Black peoples' younger age of diagnosis and death means targeted prevention and care strategies for these groups should be prioritized and tailored to facilitate take-up.