[The dementia syndrome in the clinical practice of 15 family physicians. A pilot study of the prevalence in the Zwolle area].
A pilot investigation among 15 general practitioners in the region of Zwolle has been carried out in order to obtain an indication as to the prevalence of the dementia syndrome among noninstitutionalized elderly people. According to the general practitioner--on the basis of the Clinical Dementia Rating--4.4% of the population of people of 65 years and older display the symptoms of dementia, a percentage that is low compared with foreign studies. There is a striking difference in the prevalence rate between urban (2.8%) and rural (5.7%) populations. The most obvious explanation for this difference is that in rural areas there is more informal care and a larger degree of tolerance of demented elderly people, which helps prevent institutionalization. This assumption is supported by an identical difference in the admission rate to nursing homes. As a person becomes older, the chance that he/she will suffer from the dementia syndrome increases, although the increase is not a steady one. Despite the well-recognized necessity for thorough medical examination of demented elderly people, it is only carried out to a small degree. The authors argue in favour of more extensive research into the prevalence rate of the dementia syndrome, which will promote policy making with regard to medical practice and the planning of care facilities.
Boersma
F
F
Vakgroep Sociale Geneeskunde & Epidemiologie, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen.
Groothoff
J W
JW
Eefsting
J A
JA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005194:Family Practice; D006801:Humans; D007326:Institutionalization; D009426:Netherlands / Q000453:epidemiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D014505:Urban Population
Het dementiesyndroom in de praktijk van 15 huisartsen. Een oriënterend prevalentie-onderzoek in de regio Zwolle.