Clinical profile of dementia and its association with homocysteine.

ABSTRACT

Background & Objectives: Dementia is a serious loss of cognitive ability in a previously unimpaired person, beyond what might be expected from normal ageing. This cross sectional study was undertaken to study clinical profile of dementia and its association with plasma homocysteine levels. Methods: 30 patients (indoor or outdoor) > 55 years with dementia were screened on Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) Scale. A clinical dementia rating questionnaire was asked and plasma homocysteine levels measured by ELISA using Bio-rad reagents. Data was collected and statistically analyzed. Results: There was a statistically significant correlation between loss of memory (p = 0.047), orientation (p = 0.038), judgement/problem solving (p = 0.048), outer (p = 0.042), household (p = 0.048) and personal care activity (p = 0.0099) with hyperhomocysteinemia. A statistically significant correlation was found between CDR (p = 0.0081) and MMSE (p = 0.0095) score with hyperhomocysteinemia. Interpretation & Conclusion: A significant correlation was seen between memory loss, worsening of cognitive dementia, limitation of household activity, worsening of personal care, impairment of judgment and problem solving with hyperhomocysteinemia. As hyperhomocysteinemia can be effectively treated with a low cost therapy of B vitamin supplements, it is important to recognize these problems and treat them early.