Regional variation in diagnostic intensity of dementia among older U.S. adults: An observational study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Geographic variation in diagnosed cases of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) could be due to underlying population risk or differences in intensity of new case identification. Areas with low ADRD diagnostic intensity could be targeted for additional surveillance efforts.

Methods

Medicare claims were used for a cohort of older adults across hospital referral regions (HRRs). ADRD-specific regional diagnosis intensity was measured as the ratio of expected new ADRD cases (estimated using population demographics, risk factors, and practice intensity) compared to observed ADRD-diagnosed cases.

Results

Crude new ADRD diagnosis rate ranged from 1.7 to 5.4 per 100 across HRRs. ADRD-specific diagnosis intensity ranged from 0.69 to 1.47 and varied mos

SUBMITTER: Bynum JPW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11485555 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature