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Urban-rural differences in a memory disorders clinical population.
S B Wackerbarth1, M M Johnson, W R Markesbery
1Martin School of Public Policy and Administration, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40506, USA.
Journal of the American Geriatrics Society
|June 15, 2001
Summary
Urban families report more memory and behavior problems in patients with memory disorders compared to rural families, despite similar patient function. This suggests urban families may be more sensitive to cognitive and behavioral symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Public Health
Background:
- Memory disorders clinics serve diverse populations.
- Understanding geographic variations in patient and family experiences is crucial for tailored care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare patient characteristics and family perceptions of function between urban and rural memory disorder clinics.
- To identify differences in how families report symptoms and distress.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional analysis of 956 new patient visits from two memory disorder clinics (urban and rural).
- Utilized patient/family demographics and standardized assessments including Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), ADLs, IADLs, and behavior checklists.
Main Results:
- Urban patients were more likely to reside in facilities and be more educated than rural patients.
- No significant differences in age/education-adjusted MMSE or ADL/IADL scores were found.
- Urban families reported significantly more memory problems, personality changes, and behavioral issues than rural families.
Conclusions:
- Physicians should expect variations in patient and family experiences based on geographic location.
- Urban families appear more sensitive to and distressed by cognitive/behavioral symptoms, irrespective of objective functional status.
- Further research is needed to explore underlying needs and reasons for these perceptual differences.