The challenges of diagnosis and treatment of dementia in Down's syndrome.
Ir J Psychol Med
; 33(3): 151-158, 2016 Sep.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30115189
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
People with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk for developing dementia and early diagnosis is vital in enhancing quality of life. Our aim was to compare our practice to consensus recommendations on evaluation, diagnosis and pharmacological treatment of individuals with DS who develop dementia. We also aimed to establish the average time taken to make a diagnosis of dementia and to commence pharmacotherapy, and to assess tolerability to acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.METHODS:
Retrospective chart review in an exhaustive sample containing all current service users attending our service with DS and a diagnosis of dementia (n=20).RESULTS:
The sample was 75% female and 70% had a moderate intellectual disability. The average age at diagnosis of dementia was 52.42 years old. The average time to diagnosis from first symptom was 1.13 years and the average time to commence pharmacotherapy was 0.23 years. A total of 17 patients commenced on acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, and of these seven discontinued medication due to side-effects or lack of efficacy.CONCLUSIONS:
The results on anticholinesterases add to the limited pool of data on treatment of dementia in DS. There was an identified need to improve the rates of medical, vision and hearing assessments, and prospective screening. Deficiencies in screening and diagnosis may be addressed by implementing a standardised dementia assessment pathway to include prospective screening and longitudinal assessment using easily administered scales. We highlight the importance of improving the diagnostic process, as a vital window of opportunity to commence a comprehensive care plan may be lost.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Guideline
/
Screening_studies
Aspects:
Patient_preference
Language:
En
Journal:
Ir J Psychol Med
Year:
2016
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Ireland