Demência de Alzheimer: correlação entre memória e autonomia

Abstract

ResumoDiscute-se neste artigo de revisão a relação entre demência e autonomia, com enfoque particular nas perdas cognitivas e no comprometimento da memória. A doença de Alzheimer (DA) é uma doença neurodegenerativa progressiva que provoca demência, comprometendo, ao longo de sua lenta evolução, a autonomia dos pacientes. A redução da autonomia é o fator determinante da dependência de um cuidador, que se torna indispensável para preservar o provimento das necessidades básicas da vida diária do paciente. É feita uma distinção entre a dependência por limitações motoras e redução de mobilidade, daquela decorrente das perdas cognitivas. Discute-se também a importância do uso racional dos instrumentos de rastreio cognitivo e avaliação funcional na mensuração do grau de autonomia dos indivíduos acometidos.Palavras-chave: doença de Alzheimer, autonomia, qualidade de vida, memória, teste cognitivo, escala funcional. AbstractAlzheimer disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to cognitive impairment and dementia. Within a global reduction in cognitive skills, the loss of memory-related functions has a pivotal role in the development of functional disability. As opposed to physical handicap, disability due to cognitive impairment is a strong determinant of reduced autonomy, which in turn determines the degree of dependency on a caregiver. We further discuss the role of functional and cognitive screening instruments in the assessment of the degree of autonomy in patients with dementia.

Estado cognitivo e condições de saúde de idosos que participam de grupos de convivência

“…Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative brain disease that causes dementia and, throughout its evolution, compromises patients' autonomy. It is featured by long-term episode and recent memory deficits that may be related to severances in the clinical profile (2) .…”

“…This instrument presents its scores and is affected by variations according to the subject's educational level and previous abilities. It requires partial preservation of sensoro-motor and language abilities and direct contact between the interviewee and the evaluator (2) .…”

“…It is simple, rapid and self-explanatory. In Brazil, the MMSE was translated and adjusted (4) and, although it does not substitute for a complete evaluation and it is not entirely sensitive in detecting cognitive variations, it is used by both mental health researchers and professionals (2) . It is a valid instrument used for screening and also for geriatric evaluation.…”

Estudo Normativo do Token Test versão reduzida: dados preliminares para uma população de idosos brasileiros

“…One of the most valuable fields of research concerning the effects of aging on seniors' quality of life and autonomy is the study of the neuropsychological aspects of cognition 9 , especially, language and other functions involved in the communication process 10 . Language is the basis of the social and cultural evolution of mankind.…”

Tradução, adaptação cultural e análise das propriedades psicométricas do Activities of Daily Living Questionnaire (ADLQ) para avaliação funcional de pacientes com a doença de Alzheimer

“…Therefore, the performance of ADLs is affected either by forgetfulness or by performance deficit 27 . Researchers suggest that a combination of an ADL functional assessment scale and a cognitive test would be useful in individuals with suspected dementia and would consequently increase the sensibility and specificity to investigate the disease in such a heterogeneous population from a cultural and socioeconomic point of view 28 . It is clear, therefore, that the simple measurement of cognitive performance through scales can have several limitations.…”