A memory clinic at a geriatric hospital: rationale, routine and results from the first 100 patients.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the operation of a memory clinic with reference to the referral pattern, patient characteristics and psychiatric diagnoses, frequency of reversible dementias and utility of brief cognitive screening tools in the detection of dementia.


METHODS
All patients underwent cognitive screening tests (Mini Mental Status Examination, Abbreviated Mental Test Score, Organic Brain Syndrome Scale of the Brief Assessment Scale) and two activities of daily living instruments. Psychiatric diagnoses were made according to criteria of the Diagnostic and statistical manual, third edition revised, of the American Psychiatric Association (DSM-III-R).


METHODS
A large geriatric hospital.


METHODS
First 100 patients referred.


RESULTS
The mean age of the patients was 75.5 years and 75 were women. Seventy-four met DSM-III-R criteria for dementia and a further 13 had other organic brain syndromes. No case of reversible dementia which recovered was encountered. The cognitive screening tools had a high correlation (r = 0.85-0.89) with one another but a much lower correlation with the activities of daily living instruments (r = 0.27-0.37).


CONCLUSIONS
Reversible dementias are unlikely to be detected in a memory clinic at a geriatric hospital, but the assessment process may have other benefits which will need to be assessed in prospective research. The clinic population represents a unique resource for further research on dementia.
Ames
D
D
Department of Psychiatry, University of Melbourne, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, Vic.
Flicker
L
L
Helme
R D
RD
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment; D005853:Geriatrics; D006782:Hospitals, Special; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D014739:Victoria
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs