Prevalence of dementia and depression among elderly people in Black and ethnic minorities

TLDR

The study aimed to identify elderly ethnic minorities in inner‑city Liverpool, assess psychiatric morbidity and service barriers, noting that comprehensive enumeration requires multiple methods. The paper reports the prevalence of dementia and depression among these elderly ethnic minorities. The authors conducted a community survey using the Geriatric Mental State Examination and AGECAT with ethnically matched interviewers, sampling from health authority lists, community records, snow‑balling, and door‑to‑door outreach. Among 418 participants, 55% were men aged 65–74; dementia prevalence was 2–9% and depression 5–19%, with no significant differences between English‑speaking ethnic groups and the indigenous population, though non‑English‑speaking groups had higher dementia rates and diagnosis may be misleading for non‑dominant language speakers.

Abstract

Background This study was designed to identify all elderly people of ethnic minorities living in a defined geographical area in inner-city Liverpool and to identify psychiatric morbidity and barriers to use of services. This paper reports the prevalence of dementia and depression. Method A survey of the community was carried out using the Geriatric Mental State Examination, AGECAT and ethnically matched interviewers. The sampling frame consisted of Family Health Services Authority lists as a basis, with additional information from community lists, ‘snow-balling’ and a door-to-door survey. Results 418 people were interviewed, with a high percentage (55%) of young elderly (65–74) men. The prevalence of dementia ranged from 2 to 9% and of depression from 5 to 19%, and there were no significant differences in levels between English-speaking ethnic groups and the indigenous population. Higher levels of dementia were found among non-English-speaking groups. Conclusions A complete enumeration of the elderly in ethnic minority groups is best achieved by using several different methods. Diagnosis of dementia may be misleading among those who do not speak the dominant language.