I ask this because patients with chronic dementia have cognitive impairment and we need expertise in order to diagnose a delirium that is superimposed.
Yes, indeed this is tricky. It is difficult because delirium and dementia are both cognitive disorders (mainly) and of the DSM-IV criteria, inattention is the cardinal feature in delirium that is most specific (cardinal).
For inattention, often one might use tests such as:
- months of the year backwards
- days of the week backwards
- digit span
- serial 7s
but these become progressively more difficult with advancing dementia, even without delirium.
Alessandro Morandi has systematically reviewed the field:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=23039270
and concludes the optimal set of tests have yet to be described.
Dr. Daniel Davis:
Thank you very much.
The article of Dr. Alessandro Morandi was very interesting.
Best wishes.
Diana Rodríguez Hurtado M.D F.A.C.P
Using qEEG methods measuring reaktion to visual stimulus " vigilanceindex" might provide a way to distinguish between dementia and confusional states, I´m working myself with this methodolgy, and the only compliance for the patient is if they can close and open there Eyes during the EEG-session.
Dear Rolf Ekedahi:
I will read about this method.
Thank you.
Diana from Perú.
Well, I´m the " father of the method and the only one that can inform you- it`s currently in progress of a paper I´m writing.
best regards
Rolf Ekedahl.
Ok, when you have published it, please let me know. Thank you .
Diana from Perú.
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