Dementia diagnosis often delayed by over three years: Study

People with dementia are diagnosed, on average, 3.5 years after symptoms first appear, according to a new study published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.

Early signs of dementia often include memory loss, difficulty finding words, confusion, and changes in mood and behaviour. However, many individuals face significant delays before receiving a formal diagnosis, the study found.

The research, led by scientists at University College London (UCL), reviewed data from 13 previously published studies across Europe, the US, Australia, and China. The findings were based on a combined sample of 30,257 participants.

Delays in diagnosis were found to be even longer for younger individuals and for those with frontotemporal dementia. In cases of early-onset dementia, the average time to diagnosis rose to 4.1 years, with some population groups facing even greater delays.

“Timely diagnosis of dementia remains a major global challenge, shaped by a complex set of factors, and specific health care strategies are urgently needed to improve it. Timely diagnosis can improve access to treatments and, for some people, prolong the time living with mild dementia before symptoms worsen,” said Dr Vasiliki Orgeta, Division of Psychiatry, UCL.

Dementia is a growing global health concern, currently affecting over 57 million people worldwide. Despite this, only 50 to 65 per cent of cases are diagnosed in high-income countries, with diagnostic rates even lower in many others.

One of the major barriers to timely detection, the study suggests, is the misinterpretation of symptoms as part of normal ageing.

“Symptoms of dementia are often mistaken for normal ageing, while fear, stigma, and low public awareness can discourage people from seeking help,” said Dr Phuong Leung, Division of Psychiatry, UCL

To address this gap, researchers called for greater public awareness, improved clinician training, and earlier intervention pathways.

“Clinician training is critical to improve early recognition and referral, along with access to early intervention and individualised support so that people with dementia and their families can get the help they need,” Dr Orgeta said.

Orgeta also emphasised the need for awareness campaigns to improve understanding of early symptoms and reduce the stigma surrounding dementia, encouraging more people to seek help sooner.

- with inputs from IANS