A clinical registry of dementia based on the principle of epidemiological surveillance.
BACKGROUND
Traditional epidemiological studies do not allow elucidating the reality of referral and diagnosis patterns of dementia in routine clinical practice within a defined territory. This information is useful and necessary in order to plan and allocate healthcare resources. This paper presents the results from a dementia case registry based on epidemiological surveillance fundamentals.


METHODS
Standardised registry of dementia diagnoses made in 2007 by specialised care centres in the Health Region of Girona (RSG) (Spain), which encompasses an area of 5,517 sq. km and a reference population of 690,207 inhabitants.


RESULTS
577 cases of dementia were registered, of which 60.7% corresponded to cases of Alzheimer's disease. Presenile dementia accounted for 9.3% of the cases. Mean time between the onset of symptoms and clinical diagnosis was 2.4 years and the severity of the dementia was mild in 60.7% of the cases. High blood pressure, a family history of dementia, dislipidemia, and a past history of depression were the most common conditions prior to the onset of the disease (>20%).


CONCLUSIONS
The ReDeGi is a viable epidemiological surveillance device that provides information about the clinical and demographic characteristics of patients diagnosed with dementia in a defined geographical area.
Garre-Olmo
Josep
J
Research Unit, Institut d'Assistència Sanitària, Salt, Spain. josep.garre@ias.scs.es
Flaqué
Margarita
M
Gich
Jordi
J
Pulido
Teresa Osuna
TO
Turbau
Josefina
J
Vallmajo
Natalia
N
Viñas
Marta
M
López-Pousa
Secundí
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012042:Registries; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013030:Spain; D013997:Time Factors