Symptoms of dementia among adults with Down's syndrome : a qualitative study. 51(9).
S. Deb, M. Hare, L. Prior
Bok Engelsk 2007
| Utgitt | 2007
|
|---|---|
| Omfang | 726-739
|
| Opplysninger | Background: Dementia is common among adults with Downs syndrome (DS); yet the diagnosis of dementia, particulary in its early stage, can be difficult in ths population. One possible reason for this may be the different clinical manifestation of dementia among people with intellectual disabilities. Aims: The aim of this study was to map out the carers percpective of symptoms of dementia among adults with DS in order to inform the development of an iformant-rated screening questionnaire. Method: Unconstrainde information from carers of people with DS and dementia regarding the symptoms, particularly the early symptoms of dementia, was gathered using a qualitative methodology. Carers of 24 adults with DS and dementia were interviewed. The interviews were recorded and fully transcribed. The transcripts were then analysed using qualitative software. Results: The appeared to be many similarities in the clinical presentation of dementia in adults with Ds and the non-intellectually disabled general population. Like in the non-intellectually disabled general population, forgrtfulness especially, impairment of recent memory combined with a relatively intact distant memory and confusion were common, and presented early in dementia among adults with DS. However, many "frontal lobe" related symptoms that are usually manifested later in the process of dementia among the grneral population were common at an early stage of dementia among adults with DS. A general slowness including slowness inactivites and speech, other language problems, loss of interest in activities, social withdrawal, balance problems, sleep problems, loss of pre-existing skills along with the emergence of emotional and behaviour problems were common among adult with DS in our study. Conclutions: This study highlights the similarities in the clinical presentation of dementia among the general population and people with DS with a particular emphasis on the earlier apperance of symptoms associated with the frontal lobe dysfunction among adult with DS.
|
| Emner |
