Hypothyroidism producing reversible dementia. A challenge for medical rehabilitation.
The evaluation of dementia for reversible causes should not be overlooked. Hypothyroidism is a reversible cause for dementia. Mental status is one of the important factors to be assessed prospectively to determine whether a patient is likely to benefit from intensive inpatient rehabilitation. Because of the negative effect of dementia on the learning process during intensive inpatient medical rehabilitation, it alone may be a sufficient reason to consider alternatives to intensive inpatient rehabilitation. On our rehabilitation unit, hypothyroidism causing confusion was recognized and corrected in two patients. The thyroid-stimulating hormone test is suggested as a screening tool.
Smith
C L
CL
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, State University of New York, Buffalo.
Granger
C V
CV
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007037:Hypothyroidism / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D013960:Thyroid Function Tests; D013974:Thyroxine / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013974:Thyroxine