Fleming K C, Adams A C, Petersen R C
Section of Geriatrics, Mayo Clinic Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Mayo Clin Proc. 1995 Nov;70(11):1093-107. doi: 10.4065/70.11.1093.
To describe an approach to the diagnosis of dementia based on effective assessment methods.
We reviewed the literature and summarized the available diagnostic and prognostic studies of dementia that may be useful to the primary-care physician.
Although controversy exists about certain aspects of the diagnostic workup, exclusion of potentially reversible causes of dementia is essential. Laboratory studies (for example, for detection of underlying metabolic abnormalities) and neuroimaging of the brain may be useful. The pattern of onset and the temporal course of the disease may suggest a cause and help direct the investigation. Functional losses can substantially impair the patient's ability to live independently.
Dementia can be mistakenly considered as part of the normal aging process, and diagnosis necessitates a thorough, although not exhaustive, approach. Early identification of dementing illnesses improves the outcome for reversible disease and may also enhance the management of incurable dementias.
描述一种基于有效评估方法的痴呆诊断方法。
我们回顾了文献，并总结了对初级保健医生可能有用的痴呆诊断和预后研究。
尽管在诊断检查的某些方面存在争议，但排除痴呆潜在的可逆病因至关重要。实验室检查（例如，用于检测潜在的代谢异常）和脑部神经影像学检查可能会有所帮助。疾病的起病模式和病程可能提示病因并有助于指导调查。功能丧失会严重损害患者的独立生活能力。
痴呆可能被错误地认为是正常衰老过程的一部分，诊断需要采取全面（尽管并非详尽无遗）的方法。早期识别痴呆性疾病可改善可逆性疾病的预后，也可能加强对不可治愈痴呆的管理。
