Protocol: Which variables are useful for phenotyping dementia in primary care records? A meta-analysis

Dementia is usually identified in primary care by general practitioners (GPs) and most identified patients are referred on to memory assessment clinics for formal diagnosis. However, epidemiological studies suggest only 50% of dementia cases are recorded in general practice. The UK government and the NHS have made increasing diagnosis rates a strategic priority. A range of indicators in the primary care record are likely to be predictive of patients at high risk of dementia and could be combined in a predictive model to help increase diagnosis rates. As part of the Wellcome Trust funded ASTRODEM study, we aim to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify conditions and medications previously found to be associated with dementia in primary care records.