Factors influencing time between onset of signs/symptoms and referral for dementia in elderly outpatients.

BACKGROUND: The few studies that have focused on Time between Onset of Signs and Symptoms and Referral (TOSR) for dementia to a memory center suggest a substantial delay of 1-3 years. This delay has a negative impact on both patients' and their caregivers' quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate this delay and the factors associated with it in a cohort of community-dwelling elderly people attending a memory clinic, as well as assess the impact of the Third French National Alzheimer Plan (2008-2012).

METHODS: All patients referred to the Bretonneau Memory Clinic for the first time between January 2006 (the clinic has maintained a specific database since then) and March 2016 were included in the study.

RESULTS: Of the 8543 patients attending our Memory Clinic during the study period, 3353 attending for the first time and with complete data were included. Briefly, their ages were 82±7 years, and 67.2% were female; MMSE score was 21.2±6.6, IADL was 4.06±0.78 and the social-needs category of the Groupes Iso Ressources (GIR); Iso-Resource Group (IRG) scale was 4.04±0.37. The TOSR was, on average, 35.4±30.24 months, and increased after implementation of the Third French National Alzheimer Plan, from 26.68±26.28 months before 2009 to 40.08±31.2 months after 2009. Age and MMSE were associated with TOSR, but not the type of dementia, household composition and social characteristics. Also, there was a shorter TOSR for mild cognitive impairment than for dementia patients.

CONCLUSION: Our results emphasize the need for more education and information among the general public about the early signs of cognitive impairment, especially in elderly people.