De Cola Maria Cristina, Triglia Giuseppe, Camera Martina, Corallo Francesco, Di Cara Marcella, Bramanti Placido, Lo Buono Viviana
IRCCS Centro Neurolesi Bonino Pulejo, Messina, Italy.
J Int Med Res. 2020 Oct;48(10):300060520949763. doi: 10.1177/0300060520949763.
Population screening can facilitate early diagnosis of dementia and improve disease management. This study examined the effects of a screening campaign for neurodegenerative disorders on the early diagnosis of dementia using 2-year follow-up data.
A 5-day screening campaign was conducted that comprised neurological, neuropsychological and other specialist examinations. Identification of alterations during the neurological examination was followed-up by further diagnostic examinations to confirm the neurological impairment.
Neurological alterations were observed in 39% of the screened subjects, who were mostly diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment and referred to a dementia and cognitive disorders centre. Suspicion of neurological impairment was a risk factor for inclusion in a specific neurological ambulatory follow-up and a condition for exemption from payment for medical examinations.
Neurodegenerative screening initiatives should include subjects selected by general practitioners. It would be useful to create a network including primary care physicians and cognitive disorder centres. Telemedicine tools (e.g., teleconsulting) could also be used to facilitate early diagnosis.
人群筛查有助于痴呆症的早期诊断并改善疾病管理。本研究利用两年的随访数据，考察了神经退行性疾病筛查活动对痴呆症早期诊断的影响。
开展了为期5天的筛查活动，包括神经学、神经心理学及其他专科检查。在神经学检查中发现异常后，通过进一步的诊断检查对神经损伤进行随访确认。
在39%的筛查对象中观察到神经学异常，这些对象大多被诊断为轻度认知障碍，并被转诊至痴呆症与认知障碍中心。怀疑存在神经损伤是纳入特定神经门诊随访的一个风险因素，也是免除体检费用的一个条件。
神经退行性疾病筛查项目应纳入由全科医生挑选的对象。建立一个包括初级保健医生和认知障碍中心的网络将很有帮助。远程医疗工具（如远程会诊）也可用于促进早期诊断。
