title: Assessment of dementia in ethnic minority patients in Europe: a European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In most European countries the ethnic minority migrant populations are currently reaching an age where dementia becomes an increasingly important issue. There is no European consensus on good clinical practice with these patient groups, who often have special needs and expectations with regard to dementia services.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey was conducted in clinical dementia centers in 15 European countries. Questionnaires focusing on different points in the clinical assessment of dementia in ethnic minority patients were mailed to leading dementia experts of the European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-six centers from 15 countries responded to the survey. Ethnic minority patients were seen on a regular basis in 69% of these centers. The diagnostic evaluation was in accordance with evidence-based clinical guidelines in 84-100% of the centers, but most centers performed cognitive assessment with instruments that are only validated in Western cultures and frequently relied on family members for interpretation. Diagnostic evaluation of the patients was considered to be challenging in 64% of the centers, mainly because of communication problems and lack of adequate assessment tools. In general, there were few indicators of culturally sensitive dementia services in the centers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ethnic minority patients are seen on a regular basis in European dementia clinics. Assessment of such patients is difficult for a number of reasons. Results from this study show that the most challenging issues are communication problems and assessment of cognitive function where there is a need to develop specific tests for ethnic minority patients.
authors.affiliation: Memory Disorders Research Group, Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen, Denmark. rune.nielsen@rh.regionh.dk
authors.forename: T Rune
authors.initials: TR
authors.lastname: Nielsen
authors.forename: Asmus
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vogel
authors.forename: Matthias W
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: Riepe
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Mendonça
authors.forename: Guido
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rodriguez
authors.forename: Flavio
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Nobili
authors.forename: Anders
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gade
authors.forename: Gunhild
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Waldemar
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D054521:Cultural Competency; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology*; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires