Is hearing impairment by audiometry as much a cognitive score as cognitive domain batteries?

PURPOSE: To assess the relationship between hearing impairment by audiometry and cognitive domain scores. METHODS: 124 clinic patients were categorized by screening audiometry into three groups. We examined 20 cognitive domain scores and eight composite scores. RESULTS: The severely impaired hearing group was non-significantly older, and had lower function and higher prevalence of dementia than other subjects. After Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons from P < 0.05 to P < 0.0014, the severely impaired hearing group had worse cognitive scores in 16 of 27 (59%) cognitive tests. Composite scores by cognitive domain tests passed were lowest for word-list memory (97% failed) followed by language (84%), attention (66%), visual intelligence (64%), and executive function (61%). CONCLUSIONS: Hearing impairment was conflated with 6 of 20 domain scores and two composite scores. Correlations to hearing were significant for age, function, and 21 of 22 cognitive domain scores.

A new delirium phenotype with rapid high amplitude onset and nearly as rapid reversal: Central Coast Australia Delirium Intervention Study.

BACKGROUND: Traditional models for delirium based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders and its 1990 offspring, the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM), were not designed to distinguish behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia from rapid cognitive decline. We examined a new diagnostic criterion for delirium plus exclusion of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and recent inattention with a 25% decline in digit span forward (DSF). METHODS: This was a prospective, randomized controlled trial comparing management of prevalent delirium in general medical with that in geriatric medical wards in a 370-bed hospital north of Sydney. Inclusion criteria were age ≥65 years and prevalent delirium in the emergency department based on: CAM; proof that CAM elements were not better explained by behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia; proof of recent inattention on DSF; evidence of cognitive decline not due to sedatives or antipsychotics in the emergency department. Measurements included the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL, 22-item), Selective IADL (8-item), Mini-Mental State Examination, DSF daily, Delirium Index daily, and Apathy Evaluation Scale. Pre-delirium scores from past cognitive tests and best scores were imputed after admission. Relative change (RC) was calculated as absolute change/test range and RC/MPC ratio was calculated as RC after admission/maximal possible change. RESULTS: A total of 130 subjects were recruited but 14 with subsyndromal delirium were excluded, leaving 116 subjects (mean age 83.6 years). Forty-eight percent had prior dementia. RC from pre-delirium to admission was 42% for the Mini-Mental State Examination, 41% for Selective IADL, 34% for 5-DSF, 54% for 6-DSF, and 37% for the Apathy Evaluation Scale. Improvements after admission (RC and RC/MPC ratios) were 32%/98% for 5-DSF, 54%/82% for 6-DSF, and 45%/80% for the Delirium Index. General medicine and geriatric medicine groups had similar outcomes. CONCLUSION: This delirium phenotype selects for a rapid high amplitude critical decline in attention, executive function, IADL, and apathy that recovers almost as rapidly.