Hygiena 2014, 59(2):56-59 | DOI: 10.21101/hygiena.a1258

Is Secondary Prevention of Dementia Failing?

Jan Lužný^1,2, Blanka Skopalová¹

¹ Psychiatrická nemocnice v Kroměříži, Kroměříž

² Ostravská univerzita v Ostravě, Lékařská fakulta, Ústav epidemiologie a ochrany veřejného zdraví, Ostrava

Introduction: Dementia is a disease leading to memory impairment, cognitive decline, loss of self-sufficency and deterioration of functional status. Causal therapy of dementia does not exist, disease is progredient in time up to terminal phase with imobility, incontinentia, problems with nutrition and functional dependence on caregivers aid. Primary, secondary and tertiary prevention of dementia has crucial position.

Methods: Observational study evaluating stage of dementia among patients admitted to psychogeriatric ward, Mental hospital in Kroměříž, has been designed. Admission diagnosis, severity of cognitive decline, time past between first symtomps of dementia and admission to hospital, and anamnesis of prior outpatient treatment of dementia have been monitored.

Results: Most of patients were admitted to psychogeriatric ward in moderate or severe stage of dementia, with long time between first symtomps of dementia and admission to hospital with loosing ideal time for effective therapy. Most of patients admitted to psychogeriatric ward had no prior outpatient therapy of dementia in anamnesis.

Conclusion: There are serious shortcomings in secondary prevention of dementia. Early and modern diagnostic management of dementia, as well as early and effective treatment management, with high level of erudition in field of dementia among primary care physicians may stabilize natural course of dementias, postpone serious stages of dementia and patients quality of life improvement.

Keywords: prevention of dementia, dementia

Received: August 2013; Accepted: November 1, 2013; Published: June 1, 2014  Show citation