Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
With a growing elderly population worldwide, the prevalence of dementia is rapidly increasing. Studies from high income countries have shown that belonging to a minority ethnic group increases the risk of health disadvantages.Objective
The aim of the present registry-based study was to identify potential differences in diagnostics, treatment, and care of individuals with dementia focusing on foreign-born in Sweden and the impact of country level socioeconomic position (SEP).Methods
The study was based on a large dataset from the Swedish Dementia Registry (SveDem) and the Swedish Tax Agency's population registry. Data on demographic variables, cognitive tests, clinical assessments, medication, diagnosis, and interventions initiated at diagnosis were collected. Country level SEP was determined by country of birth as classified by World Bank Country and Lending groups.Results
Of 57,982 patients with dementia registered in SveDem, 7,171 (12.4%) were foreign-born. The foreign-born were significantly younger at diagnosis (p < 0.001), had a lower MMSE score (p < 0.001), lower odds of receiving a specific dementia diagnosis (p < 0.001), lower use of acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (p < 0.001), and overall a higher use of neuroleptics compared with the Swedish-born group. The lower SEP, the greater differences to Swedish-born were seen in many of the examined variables.Conclusion
There were significant differences in dementia diagnostics, treatment, and care between foreign-born and Swedish-born, a lower SEP indicating greater differences. Further research should focus on various socioeconomic aspects and health care outcomes for a more profound analysis of equity in dementia care.
SUBMITTER: Lindgren E
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8673530 | biostudies-literature | 2021
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

Lindgren Emma E Sörenson Josephine J Wattmo Carina C Kåreholt Ingemar I Nägga Katarina K
Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD 20210101 3
<h4>Background</h4>With a growing elderly population worldwide, the prevalence of dementia is rapidly increasing. Studies from high income countries have shown that belonging to a minority ethnic group increases the risk of health disadvantages.<h4>Objective</h4>The aim of the present registry-based study was to identify potential differences in diagnostics, treatment, and care of individuals with dementia focusing on foreign-born in Sweden and the impact of country level socioeconomic position ...[more]