SveDem, the Swedish Dementia Registry - a tool for improving the quality of diagnostics, treatment and care of dementia patients in clinical practice

PLoS One. 2015 Feb 19;10(2):e0116538. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0116538. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Background: The Swedish Dementia Registry (SveDem) was developed with the aim to improve the quality of diagnostic work-up, treatment and care of patients with dementia disorders in Sweden.

Methods: SveDem is an internet based quality registry where several indicators can be followed over time. It includes information about the diagnostic work-up, medical treatment and community support (www.svedem.se). The patients are diagnosed and followed-up yearly in specialist units, primary care centres or in nursing homes.

Results: The database was initiated in May 2007 and covers almost all of Sweden. There were 28 722 patients registered with a mean age of 79.3 years during 2007-2012. Each participating unit obtains continuous online statistics from its own registrations and they can be compared with regional and national data. A report from SveDem is published yearly to inform medical and care professionals as well as political and administrative decision-makers about the current quality of diagnostics, treatment and care of patients with dementia disorders in Sweden.

Conclusion: SveDem provides knowledge about current dementia care in Sweden and serves as a framework for ensuring the quality of diagnostics, treatment and care across the country. It also reflects changes in quality dementia care over time. Data from SveDem can be used to further develop the national guidelines for dementia and to generate new research hypotheses.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Databases, Factual
  • Dementia / diagnosis
  • Dementia / epidemiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Registries*
  • Sex Factors
  • Sweden

Grants and funding

SveDem register is supported by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions and the Swedish Brain Power network. Financial support of Svenska Läkaresällskapet, Alzheimerfonden and Swedish Research Council (Drn 2012-2291) for Dorota Religa is acknowledged. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.