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P2‐224: Survival and mortality differences between patients with a clinical diagnosis of dementia with Lewy bodies versus Alzheimer's disease
Author(s) -
Magierski Radoslaw,
Sobow Tomasz,
Kisiela Elzbieta,
Kloszewska Iwona
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2008.05.1299
Subject(s) - dementia with lewy bodies , dementia , medicine , cognitive decline , disease , mortality rate , medical record , pediatrics , psychiatry
Background: Conflicting data were published in the area of progression rate of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) compared to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). In some studies it was suggested that the mean duration of illness is shorter in DLB patients. More recent papers have not confirmed significant differences between DLB and AD in age at onset, rate of cognitive decline, age at death or survival but a greater risk for noncognitive disease progression for DLB compared to AD. Aim of this study was to determine whether DLB progresses more rapidly than AD and to compare survival after dementia onset and mortality in both dementia groups. Methods: A case record analysis of AD (N 183) and DLB (N 46) patients was performed. The medical records of all patients were reviewed to determine age at onset of symptoms, the date of first presentation to the psychiatric services, dementia severity (MMSE). Projected decline rate (MMSE/year), survival after diagnosis of dementia and mortality rate were calculated and compared between DLB and AD groups. Results: The groups were comparable in terms of mean age and MMSErated dementia severity. Both groups were more enriched in women. The DLB group had a significantly shorter duration of dementia. The comparison of the clinical and demographic parameters between groups revealed no significant differences, apart from the calculated decline rate more pronounced in the DLB group. Conclusions: More rapid progression of cognitive decline and shorter duration of dementia were found in DLB in this naturalistic study. The findings may have important implications for the management and treatment of DLB and should be confirmed in prospective studies.