Improving diagnosis and management in dementia with Lewy bodies using the CPFT Research Database (CRATE) and the Clinical Record Interactive Search (CRIS) databases within CPFT, SLaM and RDE (Lewy-CRIS)

Using anonymised records from three NHS Trusts, the Lewy-CRATE/CRIS project will identify a cohort of ~1500 dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) cases and several thousand non-DLB disease dementia controls to allow a detailed examination of their characteristics and outcomes. We will search the records for cases of dementia with Lewy bodies and compare them to records for people that do not have dementia with Lewy bodies.

With linkages to local and national health record databases, we’ll examine de-identified clinical records for both cohorts in order to conduct a detailed examination of the disease characteristics, the individual’s course throughout the healthcare system, and disease outcomes.

By working with colleagues in King’s College London, the researchers will also develop and test an app that can automatically search clinical records for possible symptoms of dementia with Lewy bodies. This would allow a large number of records to be searched quickly and repeatedly to identify those people who may fulfil the clinical criteria but have not yet been diagnosed.

This project will help to improve how dementia with Lewy bodies is diagnosed. This has the potential to lead to increased rates of diagnosis and at earlier stages of the condition. Early diagnosis is vital to ensuring people gain access to services and support, but also helps to better plan how relevant services can best help people in a particular area.

Read more about the project from our funder, Alzheimer’s Society: Alzheimer’s Society