Dementia among immigrants

Rationale:

The incidence of dementia among older immigrants (with a Turkish, Moroccan or Surinamese background) will increase substantially the next years. There is a clear need for a diagnostic screening instrument for dementia in primary care for patients who are illiterate or low-literate.



Objective:

to evaluate the feasibility and usability of a brief dementia screening instrument for primary care setting



Study design:

Observational cohort study and qualitative study (focus group)



Study population:

Patients older than 55 years with a Turkish, Moroccan or Surinamese background with suspected dementia.



Intervention:

The Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale.



Main study parameters/endpoints:

The usability and feasibility of the RUDAS. Specific outcomes are duration of the test, ease of use, interpretation of the test, barriers and stimulators of the test and feasibility and recommendations for further use and implementation.



Nature and extent of the burden and risks associated with participation, benefit and group relatedness:

There is a risk for psychological harm as participation of the study might cause uncertainty about the test result and a potentially confrontation with the diagnosis of a profoundly life changing condition with great impact on wellbeing and family. However, participation is voluntary and early detection of dementia is critical for the purpose of differential diagnosis, secondary prevention and psychosocial intervention and understanding from the significant others and family. The diagnosis often results in better and more personalized care for the patient which will improve quality of life.

The incidence of dementia among older immigrants (with a Turkish, Moroccan or Surinamese background) will increase substantially the next years. There is a clear need for a diagnostic screening instrument for dementia in primary care for patients who are illiterate or low-literate.

1. Validation RUDAS, recruitment GP's: 1 month

2. Training of general practitioners: 2 months

3. Run-in period and inclusion period: 5 months

4. Analysis of questionnaires: 1 month

5. Focus group: 1 month

The RUDAS test (Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale) is a brief cognitive screenings instrument for dementia, specific for a culturally and linguistically diverse population. It contains 6 items which address executive function, praxis, gnosis, recent memory, and category fluency. Assesment of the test will take about 8 minutes.