Abstract/Text: OBJECTIVE: To design a brief cognitive screener with acceptable sensitivity and specificity for identifying subjects with cognitive impairment.
DESIGN: Cohort one is assembled from a community-based survey coupled with a second-stage diagnostic evaluation using formal diagnostic criteria for dementia. Cohort two is assembled from referrals to a specialty clinic for dementing disorders that completed the same diagnostic evaluation.
SETTING: Urban neighborhoods in Indianapolis, Indiana and the Indiana Alzheimer Disease Center.
PATIENTS: Cohort one consists of 344 community-dwelling black persons identified from a random sample of 2212 black persons aged 65 and older residing in Indianapolis; cohort two consists of 651 subject referrals to the Alzheimer Disease Center.
MEASUREMENTS: Formal diagnostic clinical assessments for dementia including scores on the Mini-mental state examination (MMSE), a six-item screener derived from the MMSE, the Blessed Dementia Rating Scale (BDRS), and the Word List Recall. Based on clinical evaluations, subjects were categorized as no cognitive impairment, cognitive impairment-not demented, or demented.
RESULTS: The mean age of the community-based sample was 74.4 years, 59.4% of the sample were women, and the mean years of education was 10.1. The prevalence of dementia in this sample was 4.3% and the prevalence of cognitive impairment was 24.6%. Using a cut-off of three or more errors, the sensitivity and specificity of the six-item screener for a diagnosis of dementia was 88.7 and 88.0, respectively. In the same sample, the corresponding sensitivity and specificity for the MMSE using a cut-off score of 23 was 95.2 and 86.7. The performance of the two scales was comparable across the two populations studied and using either cognitive impairment or dementia as the gold standard. An increasing number of errors on the six-item screener is highly correlated with poorer scores on longer measures of cognitive impairment.
CONCLUSIONS: The six-item screener is a brief and reliable instrument for identifying subjects with cognitive impairment and its diagnostic properties are comparable to the full MMSE. It can be administered by telephone or face-to-face interview and is easily scored by a simple summation of errors.

Abstract/Text: Patients with cognitive impairment can be divided into 2 broad groups: those with chronic cognitive decline (most likely diagnosable with a dementia) and those with acute cognitive changes (most likely experiencing a delirium). However, diagnosis in clinical practice is far more complicated than it is in textbooks. Perhaps the greatest hurdle in evaluating the cognitively impaired patient is the clarification of a cohesive history. Unfortunately, the cognitively impaired patient is most often unable to provide such a history, and in the absence of a reliable family member, friend, or caregiver to fill in the gaps, diagnostic clarity can be difficult to achieve. This article outlines the broad diagnostic spectra of delirium and dementia, reviews current understanding of their pathogenesis, and discusses useful diagnostic and therapeutic techniques.

Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Abstract/Text: BACKGROUND: Although the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is widely used in clinical practice, few norms exist for healthy populations covering a broad range of ages.
OBJECTIVE: To obtain MMSE norms specific for age, gender, and education in healthy adults.
METHODS: From the population registers of seven communities across Italy, we selected a proportionate random sample of residents age 20 to 79 years to evaluate their health status with respect to conditions affecting cognitive performance. This sample yielded 908 persons who were deemed to be without cognitive impairment and who were then given the MMSE. We calculated fifth percentile norms and presented them as step functions. We then validated the norms as a screening tool for dementia in persons age 65 to 79 years. The validation was based on unpublished data from a separate study and involved estimates of sensitivity and specificity.
RESULTS: The norms declined with advancing age, especially for less educated women. Given any age and sex, the norms were higher for individuals with higher educational levels. In screening for dementia, the norms had a sensitivity of 85% and a specificity of 89%.
CONCLUSIONS: When using MMSE scores, it is important to account for age, gender, and education, especially in populations where the educational level is low. Expressing MMSE norms as step functions provides an easy-to-use tool for neurologists and other clinicians.

Abstract/Text: Thirty-two studies (2889 subjects) that investigated the prevalence of the causes of dementia were critically reviewed. Particular attention was paid to potential and actual reversibility. Although dementia manifests itself primarily in old age (particularly age 75 and older), the mean age of patients for the studies that reported age data (56%) was 72.3 years. Twenty-five studies originated from secondary or tertiary centers, and four were community-based. Dementias consisted of Alzheimer disease, 56.8%; multi-infarct, 13.3%; depression, 4.5%; alcoholic, 4.2%; and drugs, 1.5%. No single other cause contributed more than 1.6% of the cases. Potentially reversible causes made up 13.2% of all cases. However, the more important question of whether patients with potentially reversible causes were followed and reversal actually seen was not always examined. In 11 studies (34%) that provided follow-up, 11% of dementias resolved, either partially (8%) or fully (3%). The commonest reversible causes were drugs, 28.2%; depression, 26.2%; and metabolic, 15.5%. Due to the presence of various biases (selection, lack of "blinded" investigators, and others) in the surveyed works, it is probable that the true incidence of reversible dementias in the community is even lower than that reported. Research implications as well as a conservative approach to the workup of a new case of dementia are offered.

Abstract/Text: A diagnosis of dementia is devastating at any age but diagnosis in younger patients presents a particular challenge. The differential diagnosis is broad as late presentation of metabolic disease is common and the burden of inherited dementia is higher in these patients than in patients with late-onset dementia. The presentation of the common degenerative diseases of late life, such as Alzheimer's disease, can be different when presenting in the fifth or sixth decade. Moreover, many of the young-onset dementias are treatable. The identification of causative genes for many of the inherited degenerative dementias has led to an understanding of the molecular pathology, which is also applicable to later-onset sporadic disease. This understanding offers the potential for future treatments to be tailored to a specific diagnosis of both young-onset and late-onset dementia.

Copyright 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Abstract/Text: BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Few studies are available that have addressed the prevalence of early-onset dementia (EOD), including early-onset Alzheimer disease and other forms of dementia in Japan.
METHODS: A 2-step postal survey was sent to all of the 2475 institutions providing medical or care services for individuals with dementia in Japan's Ibaraki prefecture (population, 2 966 000) requesting information on EOD cases. Data were then reviewed and collated.
RESULTS: We identified 617 subjects with EOD. The estimated prevalence of EOD in the target population was 42.3 per 100 000 (95% CI, 39.4 to 45.4). Of the illnesses that cause EOD, vascular dementia was the most frequent (42.5%) followed by Alzheimer disease (25.6%), head trauma (7.1%), dementia with Lewy bodies/Parkinson disease with dementia (6.2%), frontotemporal lobar degeneration (2.6%), and other causes (16.0%).
CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of EOD in Japan appeared to be similar to that in Western countries with the notable exception that vascular dementia was the most frequent cause of EOD in Japan.

Abstract/Text: We prospectively studied the evaluation of dementia in 107 unselected outpatients; 83 had so-called "irreversible" dementias, including 74 who had an Alzheimer-type dementia. Fifteen patients had potentially reversible dementias, of which hypothyroidism and drug toxicity were the commonest causes. Distinguishing features of reversible dementia were shorter duration, use of more prescription drugs, and less severe dementia. Almost half of the patients had other previously unrecognized treatable medical diseases. Most diagnoses were made from patient history and physical and mental status examination. Patients with reversible dementia improved but rarely reverted to normal. Objective improvement occurred in 25 patients after treating unrecognized coexistent medical and psychiatric diseases, or stopping unnecessary medication. Careful clinical observation is the most useful part of the evaluation and extensive testing may not be required for all patients. Overemphasis on distinguishing reversible from irreversible forms of dementia may detract from recognition of commoner, treatable causes of dysfunction and suffering.

Abstract/Text: OBJECTIVE: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of two verbally asked questions for screening for depression.
DESIGN: Cross sectional criterion standard validation study.
SETTING: 15 general practices in New Zealand.
PARTICIPANTS: 421 consecutive patients not taking psychotropic drugs.
MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratios of the two questions compared with the computerised composite international diagnostic interview.
RESULTS: The two screening questions showed a sensitivity and specificity of 97% (95% confidence interval, 83% to 99%) and 67% (62% to 72%), respectively. The likelihood ratio for a positive test was 2.9 (2.5 to 3.4) and the likelihood ratio for a negative test was 0.05 (0.01 to 0.35). Overall, 37% (157/421) of the patients screened positive for depression.
CONCLUSION: Two verbally asked questions for screening for depression would detect most cases of depression in general practice. The questions have the advantage of brevity. As treatment is more likely when doctors make the diagnosis, these questions may have even greater utility.

Abstract/Text: BACKGROUND: Primary care physicians can play a unique role in recognizing and treating patients with alcohol problems.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of screening methods for alcohol problems in primary care.
METHODS: We performed a search of MEDLINE for years 1966 through 1998. We included studies that were in English, were performed in primary care, and reported the performance characteristics of screening methods for alcohol problems against a criterion standard. Two reviewers appraised all articles for methodological content and results.
RESULTS: Thirty-eight studies were identified. Eleven screened for at-risk, hazardous, or harmful drinking; 27 screened for alcohol abuse and dependence. A variety of screening methods were evaluated. The Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) was most effective in identifying subjects with at-risk, hazardous, or harmful drinking (sensitivity, 51%-97%; specificity, 78%-96%), while the CAGE questions proved superior for detecting alcohol abuse and dependence (sensitivity, 43%-94%; specificity, 70%-97%). These 2 formal screening instruments consistently performed better than other methods, including quantity-frequency questions. The studies inconsistently adhered to methodological standards for diagnostic test research: 3 (8%) provided a full description of patient spectrum (demographics and comorbidity), 30 (79%) avoided workup bias, 12 (of 34 studies [35%]) avoided review bias, and 21 (55%) performed an analysis in pertinent clinical subgroups.
CONCLUSIONS: Despite methodological limitations, the literature supports the use of formal screening instruments over other clinical measures to increase the recognition of alcohol problems in primary care. Future research in this field will benefit from increased adherence to methodological standards for diagnostic tests.

Abstract/Text: BACKGROUND: Hypothyroidism is a common, potentially treatable endocrine disorder. Since hypothyroidism is not always associated with the signs and symptoms typically attributed to it, the diagnosis is often missed. Conversely, patients with typical signs and symptoms may not have the disease when laboratory tests are performed.
AIMS: We aimed to determine the accuracy of physical examination in the diagnosis of hypothyroidism.
SETTING AND DESIGN: Prospective, hospital-based, cross-sectional diagnostic study.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Consecutive outpatients from the medicine department were screened and an independent comparison of physical signs (coarse skin, puffy face, slow movements, bradycardia, pretibial oedema and ankle reflex) against thyroid hormone assay (TSH and FT4) was performed.
STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Diagnostic accuracy was measured as sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratios, negative likelihood ratios and positive and negative predictive values.
RESULTS: Of the 1450 patients screened, 130 patients (102 women and 28 men) underwent both clinical examination and thyroid function tests. Twenty-three patients (18%) were diagnosed to have hypothyroidism by thyroid hormone assays. No single sign could easily discriminate a euthyroid from a hypothyroid patient (range of positive likelihood ratio (LR+) 1.0 to 3.88; range of negative likelihood ratio (LR-): 0.42 to 1.0). No physical sign generated a likelihood ratio large enough to increase the post-test probability significantly. The combination of signs that had the highest likelihood ratios (coarse skin, bradycardia and delayed ankle reflex) was associated with modest accuracy (LR+ 3.75; LR- 0.48).
CONCLUSION: Clinicians cannot rely exclusively on physical examination to confirm or rule out hypothyroidism. Patients with suspected hypothyroidism require a diagnostic workup that includes thyroid hormone assays.