Patients with young-onset dementia in an older people's mental health service. (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Yeung, Michael; MacFarland, Katherine; Mlilo, Vincent; Dean, Nathan; Underwood, Benjamin R.
• Is Part Of: BJPsych bulletin. Volume 45:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 81
• Page End: 86
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Dementia, -- depressive disorders, -- YoD, -- young-onset dementia, -- service evaluation; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; 616.8905
• DOI: 10.1192/bjb.2020.89
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2056-4694

Abstract

Abstract : Aims and method: Currently, no separate service exists for patients with young-onset dementia in Cambridgeshire. These patients are managed together with late-onset dementia patients within old age psychiatry services. To inform service design, we sought to characterise young-onset dementia patients in our population. We first analysed service-level data and supplemented this with a detailed case review of 90 patients. Results: Young-onset dementia remains a relatively rare condition. Only a small proportion of those referred for assessment receive a diagnosis of dementia. Data collected on presenting complaints, comorbidities, medication and Health of the Nation Outcome Scales scores associated young-onset dementia with a greater incidence of depression than late-onset dementia. Outcomes in the two groups did not appear to differ. Clinical implications: The data presented here do not suggest a need to create a separate service. Practitioners should be aware of the increased incidence of depression observed in this group.