Clinical conditions and memory complaints in outpatient elderly

Abstract

Memory complaints are common in elderly, and may be associated with many clinical problems.ObjectiveTo identify clinical conditions and possible factors related to memory complaints in elderly outpatients presenting at a tertiary unit.MethodsPatients with memory complaints and normal cognitive screening tests were submitted to clinical and laboratorial testing. Radiological evaluation was performed as needed for diagnosis.ResultsOne hundred and seventy-seven subjects were initially evaluated, 12 were excluded because of poor and inconsistent memory complaints. Of the remainder, seventeen had criteria for dementia diagnosis. Ninety-two (55.4%) had one or more comorbid conditions possibly related to their complaints. Major depression was present in 26.0%. Sixteen patients (9.6%) had vitamin B12 deficiency, 8 were in use of inappropriate medications, and 7 (4.2%) had hypothyroidism. Other conditions diagnosed were: generalized anxiety disorder, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, hyperparathyroidism, normal pressure hydrocephalus. Three patients had severe hearing loss (in 22 with hearing complaints); one had severe visual impairment (in 22 with visual complaints).ConclusionsComprehensive evaluation was able to identify treatable conditions possibly related to memory complaints.

O papel da escolaridade, do alfabetismo funcional e dos fatores sociodemográficos na avaliação cognitiva do idoso

“…(1) A identificação precoce garante uma maior chance de sucesso na abordagem dos fatores potencialmente reversíveis (Magaldi et al, 2008;Muangpaisan et al, 2012);…”