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Experiences with cerebrospinal fluid analysis in Dutch memory clinics
Author(s) -
Spies P. E.,
Slats D.,
Ramakers I.,
Verhey F. R. J.,
Olde Rikkert M. G. M.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
european journal of neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.881
H-Index - 124
eISSN - 1468-1331
pISSN - 1351-5101
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-1331.2010.03222.x
Subject(s) - medicine , guideline , cerebrospinal fluid , memory clinic , pooled analysis , disease , pediatrics , pathology , meta analysis , dementia
Background: Evidence on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis to demonstrate Alzheimer’s disease has not yet been implemented in diagnostic guidelines. Methods: We investigated the use of CSF analysis in a survey amongst all known memory clinics in the Netherlands, of which 85 of 113 (75.2%) responded. Results: Sixty per cent of respondents used CSF analysis in 5% (median) of patients. The analysis almost always confirmed the working diagnosis in 68.4% and sometimes changed it in 28.2%. Complications occurred very infrequently (0%, median) and were mild. Reasons not to perform CSF analysis included the lack of clear recommendations in diagnostic guidelines. Conclusions: These results ask for a guideline update to clarify the use of CSF analysis as an add‐on diagnostic method.