Undiagnosed diseases in patients with dementia--a potential target group for intervention.
OBJECTIVE
To study undiagnosed diseases in older people with and without dementia.


METHODS
Cross-sectional population-based study in Lieto, southwestern Finland.


METHODS
All the inhabitants aged 64 and more in Lieto. Participation rate was 82% (n = 1,260).


METHODS
Dementia and its subtypes were diagnosed according to prevailing criteria. Medical conditions were assessed in clinical examinations and from medical records.


RESULTS
112 patients with dementia were found; 66% of them had at least 1 undiagnosed disease compared to 48% of the non-demented group (p = 0.041). The demented subjects had more undiagnosed hypercholesterolaemia (p = 0.039) and undiagnosed hypothyroidism (p = 0.032) than the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Undiagnosing is more common among patients with dementia. Screening strategies should be developed further to find these patients.
Löppönen
Minna K
MK
Department of General Practice, University of Turku, Turku City Hospital, Turku, Finland. minna.lopponen@utu.fi
Isoaho
Raimo E
RE
Räihä
Ismo J
IJ
Vahlberg
Tero J
TJ
Loikas
Saila M
SM
Takala
Timo I
TI
Puolijoki
Hannu
H
Irjala
Kerttu M
KM
Kivelä
Sirkka-Liisa
SL
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D004562:Electrocardiography; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods