Prevalence of subjective memory complaints (SMC) in elderly community dwellers
(ECD) ranges from 25 to 50%. Some controversy exists over the association
between SMC and cognitive status.ObjectiveWe investigated whether a correlation in cognitive performance existed
between two different groups according to SMC.MethodsThe Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Dementia Rating Scale-Mattis
(DRS-Mattis) were applied to two groups: ECD (n=14) with SMC and residents
(n=14) of a long-term care facility (LTCF) without SMC.ResultsThe median age in the ECD group was 81.0 years, and in the LTCF group was
75.0 years. There was a statistically significant difference (p=0.048)
between these groups regarding age. Concerning schooling (1-8 or ≥9
years), there was no statistically significant difference between the groups
(p=0.638). No statistically significant difference between the two groups
was found for scores on the cognitive tests.ConclusionSMC might be related to extrinsic factors other than insipient cognitive
decline.
Our aim was to study the duration of benefits derived from a neuropsychological rehabilitation program (NRP) for dementia patients. METHOD: The participants in this study were three patients diagnosed as probable Alzheimer's disease in the initial-to-moderate phase; the three were taking anticholinesterases. They were submitted to a neuropsychological evaluation (NE) before the NRP and then revaluated after 12 and 24 months of treatment. The aim of our intervention was to do practical work with implicit and explicit residual memory by training them in everyday life activities, and using compensatory strategies and their intact cognitive abilities. RESULTS: Analysis of quantitative NE data (descriptive measures) after the first year of NRP showed cognitive improvement, functional stabilization and fewer behavioral problems. However, this improvement did not continue in the second year, and the disease maintained its characteristic progression.
OBJETIVO: Avaliar a sensibilidade e a especificidade diagnósticas, e a concordância da Escala de Avaliação de Demência, com diagnóstico clínico de comprometimento cognitivo, e compará-las com as do Miniexame do Estado Mental. MÉTODOS: Oitenta e seis idosos de uma instituição de longa permanência foram convidados a participar do estudo e, destes, 58 concordaram em fazê-lo. A avaliação continha Miniexame do Estado Mental e Escala de Avaliação de Demência. O diagnóstico clínico de comprometimento cognitivo foi realizado por especialistas que utilizaram os critérios do DSM-IV. Escores da Escala de Avaliação de Demência e do Miniexame do Estado Mental foram correlacionados e suas sensibilidade e especificidade, obtidas. RESULTADOS: Vinte e dois (37,9%) idosos tinham comprometimento cognitivo (8,6% apresentaram comprometimento cognitivo leve e 29,3% demência). O Miniexame do Estado Mental e a Escala de Avaliação de Demência classificaram 31% e 55,2% como apresentando comprometimento cognitivo. Os escores da Escala de Avaliação de Demência e do Miniexame do Estado Mental tiveram uma forte correlação. A Escala de Avaliação de Demência teve uma sensibilidade maior do que o Miniexame do Estado Mental (86,4% versus 61,9%) e a especificidade foi menor (63,9% versus 86,5%). A concordância diagnóstica da Escala de Avaliação de Demência e do Miniexame do Estado Mental com a o diagnóstico clínico foi similar. CONCLUSÃO: A Escala de Avaliação de Demência mostrou uma sensibilidade maior na detecção de comprometimento cognitivo na população estudada e poderia ser um instrumento útil para aplicação em instituições de longa permanência.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.