Dementia: target organ damage (new diagnoses)

Indicator type

General practice indicator for use outside the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF).

Corresponding QOF indicator DEM005 was retired from the QOF in 2019 as data showed average numbers of eligible patients per practice to be less than 20 per year.

Rationale

This indicator supports identification of dementia and differentiating from other causes of cognitive impairment, for example, delirium, depression, side effects of medication and medical conditions such as hypothyroidism. It also supports ongoing medical management, including prescription of relevant medication and management of physical comorbidities.

Source guidance

Dementia: assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers. NICE guideline NG97 (2018), recommendations 1.2.2, 1.2.6, 1.6.1, 1.7.1 to 1.7.7.

Specification

Numerator: The number of patients in the denominator with a record of FBC, calcium, glucose, renal and liver function, thyroid function tests, serum vitamin B12 and folate levels recorded between 6 months before or after entering on to the register.

Denominator: The number of patients with a new diagnosis of dementia recorded in the preceding 1 April to 31 March.

Calculation: Numerator divided by the denominator, multiplied by 100.

Exclusions: None

Minimum population: The indicator would be appropriate to assess performance of collaborations or networks of GP practices serving populations of around 30,000 to 50,000.

ISBN: 978-1-4731-6065-1