Early-onset dementia in Lothian, Scotland: an analysis of clinical features and patterns of decline.
OBJECTIVE
To clinically characterise and diagnostically classify a sample of patients with early-onset dementia and determine the disabilities and nature of decline of each group, during a one year follow up.


METHODS
The Lothian Postgraduate Case Register was used to identify a cohort of 126 live patients of various aetiologies with dementia diagnosed before the age of 65. Each had two assessments approximately one year apart. Demographic; behavioural and psychopathological; neurocognitive; neurological and genetic data were collected and compared.


METHODS
Patients were either in long term care or at home.


METHODS
Of 126 cases (53 male, 73 female, mean age at referral 58 years), 114 met the diagnostic criteria for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual Third Edition dementia; 60 Alzheimer's type Dementia; 13 Multi-infarct Dementia; 14 Alcohol related Dementia; with 25 in a mixed group overlapping these categories; and two in 'other' dementia types. By the second assessment, 18 patients had died and two refused reassessment.


RESULTS
Levels of morbidity were high. The Alcohol group had a distinct profile and in general the dementia appeared less severe with minimal deterioration.


CONCLUSIONS
This study investigates and compares early onset dementia of various types and attempts to provide clear information on their outlook.
Woodburn
K J
KJ
Department of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh, Kennedy Tower, Royal Edinburgh Hospital, Morningside Place, Edinburgh.
Johnstone
E C
EC
D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000145:classification / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012606:Scotland