Old Age & Liason Psych Flashcards
why would you visit an old age patient at home rather than in clinic?
less anxious for them, so they will be more like their normal self
you can see their natural environment and see how they are coping at home
list common cognitive assessments
MOCA
ACE R
MMSE
AMTS
limitations of cognitive tests
they can under estimate impairment - especially in the more simple one
culture bound - english 2nd language can be a barrier
affected by sensory impairment
what is the first function to go in dementia & how would this present
executive function - lack of ability to problem solve
name a somatic early sign of dementia
anosmia
what is seen on MRI of dementia
cortical thinning - more likely in posterior than frontal lobe
generalised atrophy - large ventricles
what is pathognomonic of AD on MRI
atrophied asymmetrical hippocampi
is an atrophied cortex on MRI diagnostic of dementia?
NO - never diagnose/rule out dementia based on a scan
describe time course of dementia
initially - some minor executive function issues
after 2 years - forgetting key dates, finances, poor self care
after 4 years - significant memory problems, wandering around at night
after 7 years - can’t talk, toilet or interact
after 8 years - death
icd 11 definition of dementia
marked impairment in 2 or more cognitive domains relative to that expected given the individual’s age and general premorbid level of cognitive functioning, which represents a decline from the individual’s previous level of functioning
- not attributable to normal aging
- severe enough to significantly interfere with independence in an individual’s performance of activities of daily living
list cognitive Sx of dementia
memory
executive functioning
**
list non cognitive Sx of dementia
apathy
depression
irritability
agitation
delusions / hallucinations
disinhibition
wandering
epidemiology of dementia
7% of over 65s
20% of over 80s
how many people under 65 have dementia in UK
40,000
what proportion of dementia cases are never diagnosed
1/3
what is the time between onset and diagnosis of dementia
2 years
% of each of the dementias
75% AD
15% vascular
10% LBD
2% FTD
which dementia is over-diagnosed & why
vascular
- scan shows vascular change so Drs think vascular but this is present in most dementia cases
what % of antemortem diagnoses are correct for dementia
70-80%
how does vascular dementia present
sudden onset dementia Sx due to stroke(s)
stepwise deterioration
fluctuating course
AF !! and DM/HTN/obese
presentation of AD
INSIDIOUS ONSET
progressive cognitive decline over years
gradual loss of function
LBD presentation
parkinsonism
fluctuating cognitive impairment
vivid visual hallucinations
REM sleep behaviour disorder - act out a dream
falls
what are LBD patients sensitive too
antipsychotics
presentation of FTD
lose executive function
lose empathic control / filters –> disinhibition
how do you diagnose dementia
exclude mimic conditions - depression / thyroid / delirium
define characteristics
principle of dementia diagnosis
assess risk - driving / self neglect / exploitation
assess capacity - will / LPA
counselling & education - family and patient
regular review
what is the key legal feature you must consult patient about with dementia
must inform DVLA - may have to stop driving depending on features of dementia
Ix for dementia q
Hx from patient
Hx from NOK
cognitive examination
physical assessment
investigations - TFTs
MRI
DDx of dementia
mild cognitive disorder
depression
delirium
dysphasia
learning difficulties
psychotic disorders - burnout phase of disorder
iatrogenic
what is depressive pseudodementia
symptoms of dementia - mainly attentional so affects memory
don’t say they are low mood, but have anhedonia, anergia, poor sleep etc
progress of people with delirium
can progress into dementia or never fully recovery so becomes dementia
why diagnose dementia?
explanation for memory / personality changes
initiate Tx
plan for future - advanced decisions, wills
risk assess - finances, driving
do people anticipate a diagnosis of dementia
initially they lack insight so don’t think they are unwell
once testing done, 95% suspect they have dementia
drugs for dementia
ACHIs
NMDA antagonist
name a NMDA antagonist
memantine
name 3 ACHIs
donepezil
rivastigmine
galantamine
are there are any disease modifying drugs for dementia
NO - some monoclonal ABs trials but not effective
what effect do NMDA antagonist / ACHIs have in dementia
symptomatic drugs
which dementia drug has the most adverse effects
rivastigmine
non drug Tx for dementia
cognitive stimulation - puzzles, crosswords etc
what drugs should be avoided in dementia
anti psychotics
symptoms that can masquerade as dementia
undetected pain or discomfort
side effects of medication
normal behaviour for their culture / history
constipation
infection - UTI / COVID
environmental features eg temp
can a life event trigger dementia
NO - it is a natural process that is independent of life events
what is delirium also known as
acute confusional state
define delirium
disturbance in attention (direct/focus/sustain/shift) and a disturbance in awareness (disorientated)
+/- cognitive impairment inc language
how does delirium develop
quickly over hours or days
fluctuating attention / awareness over the day
when can delirium not happen
if there is an established/ evolving neurocognitive disorder or a reduced arousal level eg coma
what causes delirium
physiological consequence of another medical condition / substance intoxication or withdrawal
epidemiology of delirium
10-20% medical/surgical inpatients
1% in community
who is most at risk of delirium
elderly
pre-existing dementia
sensory impairment
very young
post op
burn victims
alcohol/benzo dependent
serious illness
DDx of delirium
mood disorder
psychotic illness
post ictal state
dementia
when is a psychotic illness less likely
in elderly patient / medically hospitalised patient
primary goals of treating delirium
establish underlying cause & Tx
provide environmental / supportive measures
avoid sedation unless severely agitated
regular clinic review / follow up
what environmental / supportive measures can be done for delirium
educate staff / family
reality orientation - use clocks / calendars
make environment safe - adequate lighting, reduced unnecessary noise, mobilise where possible
what medication would be used for sedation in delirium
small dose haloperidol