Article

The few studies that have focused on Time between Onset of Signs and
Symptoms and Referral (TOSR) for dementia to a memory center suggest a
substantial delay of 1-3 years. This delay has a negative impact on both
patients' and their caregivers' quality of life. OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to
evaluate this delay and the factors associated with it in a cohort of
community-dwelling elderly people attending a memory clinic, as well as assess
the impact of the Third French National Alzheimer Plan (2008-2012). METHODS: All
patients referred to the Bretonneau Memory Clinic for the first time between
January 2006 (the clinic has maintained a specific database since then) and March
2016 were included in the study. RESULTS: Of the 8543 patients attending our
Memory Clinic during the study period, 3353 attending for the first time and with
complete data were included. Briefly, their ages were 82+/-7 years, and 67.2%
were female; MMSE score was 21.2+/-6.6, IADL was 4.06+/-0.78 and the social-needs
category of the Groupes Iso Ressources (GIR); Iso-Resource Group (IRG) scale was
4.04+/-0.37. The TOSR was, on average, 35.4+/-30.24 months, and increased after
implementation of the Third French National Alzheimer Plan, from 26.68+/-26.28
months before 2009 to 40.08+/-31.2 months after 2009.
Age and MMSE were
associated with TOSR, but not the type of dementia, household composition and
social characteristics.
Also, there was a shorter TOSR for mild cognitive
impairment than for dementia patients. CONCLUSION:
Our results emphasize the need
for more education and information among the general public about the early signs
of cognitive impairment, especially in elderly people.
CI - Copyright (c) 2017 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS