Early Detection Screening of Cognitive Decline in Patients Over 60 Years: ELDERCARE Study.
J Alzheimers Dis
; 98(1): 145-150, 2024.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38339935
ABSTRACT
Background:
Dementia is the fourth leading cause of death in peopleâ> â65 years old in western countries.Objective:
This cross-sectional assisted survey aimed to evaluate a multidisciplinary team approach of specialists of the Associazione Geriatri Extraospedalieri a favore di Anziani Svantaggiati and pharmacists to facilitate progress in the early identification and management of cognitive decline in patientsâ> â60 years.Methods:
A multidisciplinary team conducted this cross-sectional assisted survey. Patients (>60 years) with independent and/or assisted walking, subjective memory impairment, mild cognitive impairment or mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) who regularly attended pharmacies underwent the survey. An internal medical examination, a cardiovascular visit, and a short neuropsychological evaluation were conducted for each patient. Demographic, anamnestic, and clinical data were collected anonymously.Results:
279 eligible patients underwent the screening phase. 44% were overweight, 23% obese and 29% hypertensive. 62% of cases showed alterations of supra-aortic trunk with different percentages of stenosis. The neuropsychological evaluation highlighted that 67% of cases were normal according to age and education level, while 18% were in a state condition of cognitive frailty. Mild/moderate cognitive decline, or probably AD, was identified in 14% of cases.Conclusions:
A multidisciplinary collaboration between pharmacists and specialist medical doctors is essential in early identification of prodromal symptoms of cognitive impairment and AD. The Prompt detection of the condition in this group of patients allowed the specialists to recommend in-depth diagnostic tests and follow-up procedures to slow the course of the disease. This would give time to carry out adequate caregiver training.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Alzheimer Disease
/
Cognitive Dysfunction
Type of study:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Qualitative_research
/
Screening_studies
Limits:
Aged
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
J Alzheimers Dis
Journal subject:
GERIATRIA
/
NEUROLOGIA
Year:
2024
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Italy