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Symptomatic Treatment of Elderly Patients with Early Alzheimer's Disease at a Memory Clinic

Authors :
S. Teunisse
G. J. M. Walstra
H. van Crevel
W.A. van Gool
Other departments
Source :
Journal of geriatric psychiatry and neurology, 10(1), 33-38. SAGE Publications Inc.
Publication Year :
1997
Publisher :
SAGE Publications, 1997.

Abstract

It is widely accepted that excess disability (treatable coexisting physical disorders and psychiatric phenomena) is common in demented patients, and should be looked for carefully and treated properly, as it may result in improvement. This idea, however, does not state what investigations should be performed and what kind of improvement can be expected. Therefore, we studied prospectively in elderly outpatients with early Alzheimer's disease the prevalence of excess disability, the results of medication treatment, and the added value of investigations for diagnosis, treatment, and outcome after clinical examination. Outcome was assessed clinically and clinimetrically (using instruments with regard to cognition, disability in daily functioning, behavior, and caregiver burden). Excess disability was present in 66% of patients. Medication treatment was effective with regard to target symptoms, but (partial) reversal of dementia did not occur. Only blood tests produced unexpected results with consequences for treatment and outcome. Positive treatment effects often resulted from clinical examination only. We recommend blood tests in all patients; other investigations can be performed on clinical indication.

Details

ISSN :
15525708 and 08919887
Volume :
10
Database :
OpenAIRE
Journal :
Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and Neurology
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....ce30e19171b2fed0ab41cb8e62f98d40
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1177/089198879701000107