• 作者：Josep Maria Argimon^a ; Sebastià ; Riu^b ; Xavier Badia^c ; ^{xbadia@es.imshealth.com} ; Evelyn Cadenas^d ; José ; Manuel Martí ; nez Lage^e
• 关键词：Deterioro cognitivo ; Quejas de memoria ; Diagnó ; stico ; Tiempo de evolució ; n ; Atenció ; n primaria
• 刊名：Revista Espa帽ola de Geriatr铆a y Gerontolog铆a
• 出版年：2007
• 期刊代码：pca313_0211139X
• 类别：med
• 出版时间：March 2007
• 卷：42
• 期：2
• 页码：75-82
• 文件大小：115 K

Objective

to evaluate the interval between symptom onset and diagnosis by a general practitioner (GP) in patients with cognitive impairment and/or memory complaints.

Material and methods

we performed a 12-month prospective multicenter naturalistic study, in which 105 GPs from all over Spain participated. Patients aged more than 60 years attending their GP for the first time with memory complaints and/or cognitive impairment for more than 6 months were included. Each patient attended 3 consultations (baseline and at 6 and 12 months). Information was collected on GP diagnosis, time since symptom onset, referrals, and specialist diagnosis.

Results

a total of 921 patients were initially included, of which 846 were followed-up for 12 months. The mean age (SD) was 74.3 (6.8) years, and 66.9%were women. The median (interquartile range) interval between symptom onset and the initial GP diagnosis was 12 (8-16) months. During the study period, 54.9%of the patients were referred to a specialist. The median (interquartile range) interval between consultation with the GP and specialist referral was 0.6 (0-6.5) months and that between symptom onset and specialist diagnosis was 17 (12.9-22.5) months.

Conclusions

patients with cognitive impairment and/or memory complaints experienced symptoms for more than a year before consulting their GPs. More than half the patients were referred to a specialist and there was an interval of almost a year and a half between symptom onset and specialist diagnosis.