Dementia and ageing
CADDY (CFASII Dementia Diagnosis Study). Dementia undetected or undiagnosed in primary care: the prevalence, causes and consequences
This South Norfolk CCG sponsored University of East Anglia study aimed to provide new information on the proportion of people living with dementia who are at different stages of the diagnostic process. Between 2016 and 2017 the CADDY study team asked the GPs of participants of the CFASII Cohort with a study diagnosis of dementia and who consented to linkage:
• whether or not a diagnosis of dementia was recorded in their GP record,
• to describe the process of presentation with a cognitive complaint,
• details of referrals to specialist services and subsequent findings.
SCOOP: Screening in the community to reduce fractures in older women
The study led by researchers from the University of East Anglia and the University of Sheffield screened 12483 women aged 70-85 recruited from 100 GP practices across 7 regions in England. The results suggest that a simple questionnaire based screening, combined with bone mineral density measurements, could help identify those at risk of hip fractures. The study results were published on in The Lancet 2017.
Understanding Hospital Admissions Close to the End of Life (ACE Study)
Hospital admissions for patients close to the end of life are often considered ‘inappropriate’. The aim of the study was to understand admissions to acute hospitals from the perspective of next-of-kin of patients and of decision-makers; and to help identify what or could have been done to prevent admissions.
The findings from the systematic review were inconclusive and challenged the justification that hospital admissions for patients close to the end of life may be ‘inappropriate’ because they contravene patients’ choice.
The results of interviews with healthcare staff and next-of-kin involved in the admissions of patients who died shortly after being admitted suggest that whilst hospital was not recognised as place where ‘good’ deaths typically occurred, it was acknowledged as emergency place of care. The need for emergency care reflected the difficulties of providing end-of-life care in the community. The term ‘inappropriate’ to describe admissions does not encompass these attempts, and moreover, devalued the significant care provided by healthcare staff in the community and hospital.
The qualitative study publication can be accessed by clicking on the picture to the left.