Rating scales and computed tomography in multi-infarct dementia.
Forty patients who fulfilled the DSM-III-R criteria for multi-infarct dementia and had a score of 7 points or more on Hachinski ischemia score (HIS) were analyzed with the purpose to correlate the rating scales and CT scans. Among the examined patients there were 32 women with the average age of 68.5 +/- 9.8 years and 8 men with the average age of 68.8 +/- 10.4 years. No significant difference between sex in relation to Folstein Mini-mental state examination (MMSE), Gottfries-Brane-Steen scale (GBS) and Sandoz clinical assessment-geriatric scale (SCAG) was found. There is no correlation of GBS and SCAG on MMSE. With regression analysis a good correlation was found between GBS and SCAG, and we suggest that in such studies only one of these two scales is sufficient. CT abnormalities were found in about 77% of examined patients without difference according to sex. But, GBS score demonstrated greater disability among MID patients with abnormal CT scans than in MID patients with normal CT scans. In medical history of male MID patients completed stroke was significantly more common than among women, while the female MID patients had in their history significantly more frequent transient ischemic attack (TIA). This finding should be checked in a greater patient population. It is stressed that in everyday clinical practice it is necessary to use the diagnosis of multi-infarct dementia, e.g. to differentiate cerebral diseases according to etiology and pathogenesis.
Folnegović-Smalc
V
V
Clinical Psychiatric Hospital Vrapce, Zagreb, Croatia.
Mimica
N
N
Makarić
G
G
Loos
V
V
Kittner
B
B
Mimica
N
N
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001921:Brain / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002561:Cerebrovascular Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015161:Dementia, Multi-Infarct / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed