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Time to diagnosis in young-onset dementia as compared with late-onset dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 May 2012

D. van Vliet ,
M. E. de Vugt ,
C. Bakker ,
Y. A. L. Pijnenburg ,
M. J. F. J. Vernooij-Dassen ,
R. T. C. M. Koopmans  and
F. R. J. Verhey
D. van Vliet
Affiliation:
School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
M. E. de Vugt*
Affiliation:
School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
C. Bakker
Affiliation:
Florence, Mariahoeve, Centre for Specialized Care in Young-Onset Dementia, The Hague, The Netherlands Department of Primary and Community Care: Centre for Family Medicine, Geriatric Care and Public Health, Radboud University Nijmegen, Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
Y. A. L. Pijnenburg
Affiliation:
Alzheimer Centre and Department of Neurology, VU University Medical Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
M. J. F. J. Vernooij-Dassen
Affiliation:
Department of Primary and Community Care: Centre for Family Medicine, Geriatric Care and Public Health, Radboud University Nijmegen, Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands Alzheimer Centre Nijmegen, Radboud University Nijmegen, Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands Kalorama Foundation, Beek-Ubbergen, The Netherlands Scientific Institute for Quality of Healthcare, Radboud University Nijmegen, Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
R. T. C. M. Koopmans
Affiliation:
Department of Primary and Community Care: Centre for Family Medicine, Geriatric Care and Public Health, Radboud University Nijmegen, Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands Alzheimer Centre Nijmegen, Radboud University Nijmegen, Medical Centre, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
F. R. J. Verhey
Affiliation:
School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Maastricht University Medical Centre, Maastricht, The Netherlands
*
*Address for correspondence: M. E. de Vugt, Ph.D., Maastricht University Medical Centre, School for Mental Health and Neuroscience/Alzheimer Centre Limburg, Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, PO Box 5800, 6202 AZ Maastricht, The Netherlands. (Email: [email protected])
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Abstract

Background

The extent to which specific factors influence diagnostic delays in dementia is unclear. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to compare duration from symptom onset to diagnosis for young-onset dementia (YOD) and late-onset dementia (LOD) and to assess the effect of age at onset, type of dementia, gender, living situation, education and family history of dementia on this duration.

Method

Data on 235 YOD and 167 LOD patients collected from caregivers from two prospective cohort studies were used. Multiple linear regression analysis was performed.

Results

The duration between symptom onset and the diagnosis of YOD exceeded that of LOD by an average of 1.6 years (2.8 v. 4.4 years). Young age and being diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia were related to increases in the time to diagnosis. Subjects with vascular dementia experienced shorter time to diagnosis.

Conclusions

There is a need to raise special awareness of YOD to facilitate a timely diagnosis.

Keywords

Diagnostic delayearly onset dementiapreseniletime to diagnosisyoung onset dementia
Type
Original Articles
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 43 , Issue 2 , February 2013 , pp. 423 - 432
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2012

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