Symptoms of preclinical dementia in general practice up to five years before dementia diagnosis

To investigate which symptoms are indicative of preclinical dementia in general practice and whether subjects with preclinical dementia have an increased contact frequency with their general practitioner (GP). Individuals with preclinical dementia (n = 75) and non-demented controls (n = 125) were se...

Full description

Saved in:

Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Dementia and geriatric cognitive disorders Vol. 24; no. 4; p. 300
Main Authors:	Ramakers, Inez H G B, Visser, Pieter Jelle, Aalten, Pauline, Boesten, Jos H M, Metsemakers, Job F M, Jolles, Jelle, Verhey, Frans R J
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	English
Published:	Switzerland 01-01-2007
Subjects:	Aged Aged, 80 and over Cognition Disorders - etiology Dementia - diagnosis Dementia - physiopathology Dementia - psychology Family Practice Female Gait Humans Male Office Visits - statistics & numerical data Predictive Value of Tests Psychiatric Status Rating Scales Sensitivity and Specificity Time Factors
Online Access:	Get more information
Tags:	Add Tag No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!

Description
Summary:	To investigate which symptoms are indicative of preclinical dementia in general practice and whether subjects with preclinical dementia have an increased contact frequency with their general practitioner (GP). Individuals with preclinical dementia (n = 75) and non-demented controls (n = 125) were selected from the Dutch GP registration network (RNH). Number of visits and odds ratio for the risk of subsequent dementia of various symptoms were analysed. Analyses were done separately for each 12-month period, in the 5 years prior to the diagnosis of dementia. In the 5 years prior to diagnosis, subjects with preclinical dementia visited their GP more often than controls. Gait disturbances were the earliest predictor. Cognitive complaints were predictive for dementia in the 3 years before diagnosis. All other symptoms, except vascular symptoms, were predictive in the year prior to diagnosis. Sensitivity was highest for cognitive symptoms (0.58) and gait disturbances (0.47) in the year before diagnosis. Preclinical dementia is associated with an increased contact frequency between patient and GP at least 5 years prior to the diagnosis of dementia. Gait disturbances and cognitive complaints are the earliest symptoms of preclinical dementia.
ISSN:	1420-8008
DOI:	10.1159/000107594