Perfiles diagnósticos y epidemiológicos en una Unidad de Memoria / Diagnostic profiles at a Center for Memory Disturbances

Background: The Memory Disturbances Center is a multidisciplinary team devoted to the study and treatment of patients with memory problems. Aim: To report the clinical features of patients consulting to this center. Material and methods: Retrospective review of the clinical records of the first 100 patients consulting in the center. Results: The age of consulting patients ranged from 17 to 93 years and 57 were female. The most common diagnoses were Alzheimer disease, depressive pseudo dementia, mild cognitive impairment, vascular dementia and adult attention deficit disorder. A formal neuropsychological assessment was performed in 60% and 20% entered a cognitive stimulation program. Conclusions: Although Alzheimer disease is the most common cause of memory disorders in the adult, concealed depression and attention deficit disorders are also common. A multidisciplinary approach allows a better diagnosis and treatment.

Delirium en pacientes de una unidad de cuidados intermedios: estudio prospectivo / Prevalence of delirium in an intermediate care unit

Background: Delirium or acute confusional state is defined as an acute disturbance of consciousness and attention. Its prevalence among hospitalized patients fluctuates between 25 and 60 percent. Aim: To assess the prevalence and features of delirium in an intermediate care unit. Patients and methods: All patients admitted to intermediate care unit during a period of two months were assessed and followed. Delirium was assessed daily during the stay in the unit, using the Inouye Confusion Assessment Method. Delirium was classified as hyperactive if the patient required pharmacological or physical restraining methods. Results: Sixty four patients, 32 female, aged 19 to 90 years old were assessed. Forty one percent had delirium. Of these, delirium started after admission in 46 percent and was hyperactive in 35 percent. Cognitive disturbances were ascertained by the health care team in 69 percent of patients with delirium. Age over 70 years old and a history of dementia were defined as predisposing factors for delirium. Serum albumin was > 3.5 g/dl in 14 of 18 patients with and in 11 of 27 patients without delirium (p=0.04). The most frequent risk factors were systemic infections, metabolic disturbances and intracranial lesions. Physical restraining and neuroleptics were the most commonly used measures to deal with hyperactive patients. Conclusions: The prevalence of delirium found in this study is similar to that reported elsewhere, except for the high proportion of patients whose delirium started after admission