Vascular Dementia Prevalence in UK: A Journal Article Review (HSO4003)

This essay provides a comprehensive review of vascular dementia in the UK, analyzing two journal articles to understand its prevalence, risk factors, and implications for health and social care. The study examines articles by R.H. Chen (2008) and F.A. Matthews (2013), employing qualitative and quantitative research methods to explore the trends and causes of vascular dementia. The essay highlights the increasing incidence of the condition, particularly among the aging population, and discusses the impact of factors like depression, lifestyle choices, and genetic predispositions. It also evaluates the limitations of existing research and suggests the need for further investigation and improved healthcare services to address the growing challenge of vascular dementia in the UK. The analysis underscores the importance of professional training and dedicated facilities within the NHS to better serve patients affected by this condition.

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BSc Health and Social Care
Using Research Evidence
Essay: Journal Article Review
Module Code – HSO4003
Level – HE4
Student Number:…
Module Tutor: Tracy Dearden
Word Count: …
Date: …
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INTRODUCTION
Vascular dementia is regarded one of the most common types of dementia due to reduced
blood flow to the brain. In the UK almost 150,000 people suffer from it. Dementia is a
common term associated for challenges associated with mental abilities from gradual
damages and changes in the brain of people under 65. Vascular dementia has been found to
be a degenerative condition with possibilities to slow it down (Davies, 2011). The scope of
this paper evaluates prevalence of vascular dementia in the UK by evaluating two journals.
R.H. Chen (2008) article, Severity of depression and risk for subsequent dementia: cohort
studies in China and the UK. In The British Journal of Psychiatry, pages 373 to 377 is a
qualitative evaluation the study. The journal provides critical insight into factors and
syndromes that lead to vascular dementia (Chen, 2008). The second article, F.A. Matthews
(2013) A two-decade comparison of prevalence of dementia in individuals aged 65 years and
older from three geographical areas of England: results of the Cognitive Function and Ageing
Study I and II. In The Lancet, pages 1405 to 1412 is a qualitative along with quantittive
factors related to the study (Matthews, 2013). The topic of this research has been selected as
there are no pertinent literature covering aspects relateed to geographic locationin UK. It is
important to professionals inhealth and social care as there are barely any special professional
based training methodology catering to services. Due to increasing incidence vascular
dementia cases in the UK, it is an important filed in health and sical care debate. Though
there has been several researches in the area but a literature gap exists to understand
prevalence of the condition in the UK. This study undertakes to fulfill the literature gap
pertaining to vascular dementia in UK.
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ANALYSIS
A number of potential issues in health and social care affect large proportions of population.
While evidences based on pertinent research might be able to reflect characteristics related to
the study, they might not be able to suffice the same. It has been estimated that vascular
dementia is the most prevalent dementia type after Alzheimer’s disease. Dementia includes a
series of symptoms including memory loss, problem solving or language difficulties and
difficulties in thinking. For the purpose of this study, a research method including qualitative
and quantitative techniques has been undertaken (Sharp, 2011). Mostly secondary level data
and information has been undertaken for analysis from journals and articles. The scholar has
not undertaken primary data collection due to time and cost constraints. However, all
secondary data that had been collected for the purpose of the study has been verified and
tested for reliability. Qualitative data are those, which are subjective in nature, has been
collected extensively from both the articles for the purpose of the study. Whereas,
quantitative data are those which are measurable in nature. While qualitative data has been
obtained from both the articles, quantitative data has been obtained from second article for
analysis. Data analysis technique undertaken for the study encompasses inductive technique
methods, where collected data are lined to one another to arrive at results pertaining to the
study. For the purpose of analysing quantitative data statistical analysis technique as mean,
median, standard deviation has been adopted. The research aim for the study is to understand
the trend amongst adult population in the UK facing vascular dementia. Thus, research
questions aims at exploring facts regarding several causes that leads to prevalence of vascular
dementia. The symptoms along with conditions related to the disease will also be evaluated
through the scope of two journals. Hypothesis related to the study is that; Null Hypothesis
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(H0), which establishes that there is a growing, trend in the UK associated with vascular
dementia. Alternate Hypothesis (H1), which states that, no related factors that can depict
dementia amongst patients in UK.
Vascular dementia has been found to be a rare condition but it is prevalent under the age of
65 with almost 17% of the population with dementia diagnosed as being vascular dementia.
In any study, it becomes pertinent to evaluate necessary literary sources for arriving at
specific findings related to the study. For the purpose of this study, development is based on
literatures from two journals and articles undertaken (Ballard, 2008). An array of symptoms
appears with vascular dementia due to shortage of blood supply to the brain, it causes minor
blood clots in the brain that prohibits oxygen from reaching brain tissues. The small clots
inside the brain are referred to as Transient Ischaemic Attacks (TIAs). There can be damage
due to blocked arteries, commonly known as atherosclerosis or bursting of blood vessels
known as haemorrhage. In cases of progression of vascular dementia, patient might not
experience TIAs for a period and might be diagnosed only at a stage later. Once symptoms
related to TIA happens then patient might experience conditions of getting better or will
reflect sign of recovery. Post phases of recovery, which are temporary stages, there could be
difficulties in daily living or in carrying out regular activities (Imfeld, 2013).
R.H. Chen (2008) in his article evaluates risks associated with depression being coexisitng
with dementia. The article evaluated several participants from UK and china of age greater
than 65. Geriatric Mental State interview processes was applied during the time period of
firstly Chineses and the later with British participants of 2157 in number. Analysis os results
from participants reflected that risks associated with depression seem to increase dementia.
Below is depicted a year-wise trend of dementia amongst men and women in the UK
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(Ahtiluoto, 2010). With ageing population in the UK along with other associated socia-
cultural factors as unemployment, depression have been significantly increasign which has
also seen rise in number of dementia patients. When data has been further analysed, it was
noted that amongst all other types of dementia, the most notable one was vascular dementia.
Figure 1: Dementia Trends
From the above figure, it can be drawn that dementia is expected to rise further in the UK,
with possible cases of vascular dementia. While there, remains several possible hazards of
patients with vascular dementia there have been recognised to be certain risks factors as well
that is associated with the disease. Possible risk factors associated with types of dementia
included people who were over 65 years of age had more risks of vascular dementia
compared to others. Further analysis of results depicted in the geographic region, men with
higher risks of vascular dementia than women. Several genetic factors as family history of
heart ailment, diabetes have more effect on patients to develop vascular dementia (Kalaria,
2008). Moreover, factors that were found to be prevalent in UK that lead to steep rise in the
condition in recent years are lifestyle choices as lacking exercise, excessive alcohol intake,
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smoking amongst many other. Subsequently patients with high blood pressure, obesity, heart
disease, high cholesterol and other associated conditions were found to develop more
vascular dementia. The figure below depicts a share of vascular dementia amongst all other
types of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
Figure 2: Causes of Dementia
F. A.Matthews (2013) undertook decades of analysis in several patients that sufferred types
of dementia over age of 65. He found that dementia had atatrcted world wide interest with
plans for making future provisions. The study mainly analysed trends of dementia in the past
as compared to those in the present. the study used diagnostic approach and methods those
that are used by Medical Research Council Cognitive Function and Ageing Study (MRC
CFAS) in several areas of England. Post surveying several segment of the population in
England, there have been found to be marginal differences in rates of demntia amongst them.
Espcially prevalent tyep of dementia was vascular dementia that was primarily outcome of
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ignorance or non-awareness reagrding it (Iadecola, 2013). The figure below depicts demnetia
preavlence amongst men and women in England.
Figure 3: Dementia in Men and Women in England
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Figure 4: Dementia trends amongst genders
Analysing all trends that has been discussed in the paper, it can easily be understood that
incidence of increase of vascular dementia prevalent in the UK (Aarsland, 2010). However,
risks of dying from vascular dementia had been found to be low compared to all other types
of dementia. With rising age, factor and risks of other associated illness, or comorbidities
dementia can turn out to be fatal for patient. There needs to be adequate and effective
professional care render to patient to allow him to overcome such conditions and continuing
living a life.
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Figure 5: Risks of dying of dementia
In case of any research evaluation, there has to be analysed shortcoming or literature gaps if
such persists. The scope of the first article develops consecutiveness to that of depression,
with linking outcomes in China and UK. While such outcomes have contributed
tremendously towards the scope of analysis however, it has limited risk factor analysis to
only depression. In the second article, limitations or shortcoming pertained to selecting of
sample population for the purpose of the study. Though it has adopted random sampling
method, yet such has not been able to provide specific data pertaining to UK.
Analysing trends from the above two authors and there discussions as given in the articles
several factors can be seen. While both the authors have primarily focussed their discussion
around causes or risk factors that leads to vascular dementia, there needed to be more focus
based on ways that such conditions can be overcome. In order to actively and effectively
tackle the issue related to rising trends in the disease health and social care professionals
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needs to work actively with patients with such conditions. There needs to be more
involvement of health and social care professionals to tackle patients who face such
conditions and diagnose the same, as many cases go unnoticed.
Findings and conclusion from both the research materials makes valuable contributions to the
research hypothesis ascertained for the purpose of the study. Findings from the articles reflect
that increasing number of patients in UK does faces vascular dementia along with other
comorbidities often. Thus, this study provides specific knowledge in the area that had not
been explored before, as vascular dementia conditions in connection to a specific
geographical area. For better treatment and providing benefits to patients and catering them in
a more professional manner there needs to be specific areas that needs to be identified that
has such trends related to dementia. However, there remains need for further research in the
area to ascertain specific factors that might have triggered such trends in the region.
Drawing from the topic and understanding regarding the same, it can be said that unhealthy
lifestyle, prevalence of fast food, lack of awareness, overall factors related to urbanisation
have caused such increasing trends. With such growing incidence of the disease, health and
social are professional is needs to prepare themselves as well for catering to large number of
patients. There needs to be separate treatment and analysis available with designated health
and social care professionals to render professional services in the region. In the future, NHS
and other health and social care facilities has to include separate facilities for catering to
patients facing the disease. A standard of practice needs to be developed for catering to such
patients by the NHS; it will ascertain better health and social care services. It will also lead to
development of medical and care facility in the domain.
CONCLUSION
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The scope of this essay analyses two different papers for the purpose of analysing vascular
dementia trends in the UK. The study has undertaken several research processes to arrive at
the findings related to the study as data collection, reviewing of research aims and objectives,
establishing sets of research questionnaires, connecting them to findings, which had been
undertaken by both the authors. Through exploration of data pertaining to the study, it can be
said that the data arrived at, related to the study is reliable and valid in nature. Reviews and
recommendations pertaining to key highlights also established growing trend amongst
dementia patient in the UK with vascular dementia. There is wide range of issues as lack of
awareness, lack of professionals for catering to services of such patients. With rising
incidence of the disease health care service professionals needs to develop more skills
pertaining to the area such that they could cater to patients better in the future. There also
needs to more professional focus in the future for addressing the challenge pertaining to
growing population facing vascular dementia conditions.
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Reference Lists
Aarsland, D. S. 2010. Is physical activity a potential preventive factor for vascular dementia?
A systematic review. Aging & mental health, 386-395.
Ahtiluoto, S. P. 2010. Diabetes, Alzheimer disease, and vascular dementia A population-
based neuropathologic study. Neurology, 1195-1202.
Ballard, C. S. 2008. Efficacy, safety and tolerability of rivastigmine capsules in patients with
probable vascular dementia: the VantagE study. Current medical research and opinion,
2561-2574.
Chen, R. H. 2008. Severity of depression and risk for subsequent dementia: cohort studies in
China and the UK. The British Journal of Psychiatry, 373-377.
Davies, N. M.-S. 2011. Associations of anti-hypertensive treatments with Alzheimer's
disease, vascular dementia, and other dementias. Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 699-708.
Iadecola, C. 2013. The pathobiology of vascular dementia. Neuron, 844-866.
Imfeld, P. B. 2013. Epidemiology, co-morbidities, and medication use of patients with
Alzheimer's disease or vascular dementia in the UK. Journal of Alzheimer's disease, 565-573.
Kalaria, R. N. 2008. Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia in developing countries:
prevalence, management, and risk factors. The Lancet Neurology, 812-826.
Matthews, F. A. 2013. A two-decade comparison of prevalence of dementia in individuals
aged 65 years and older from three geographical areas of England: results of the Cognitive
Function and Ageing Study I and II. The Lancet, 1405-1412.
Sharp, S. I. 2011. Hypertension is a potential risk factor for vascular dementia: systematic
review. International journal of geriatric psychiatry, 661-669.
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