Frontotemporal dementia – causes for misdiagnosis – College of Queensland researchers found that just about 70 per cent of suspected frontotemporal dementia sufferers in the end didn’t have the illness in a research aimed toward figuring out components that contribute to misdiagnosis of this notoriously tough to diagnose dysfunction.
Psychiatrist Dr Joshua Flavell, working with cognitive neurologist Professor Peter Nestor on the Mater Hospital Reminiscence and Cognitive Issues clinic and UQ’s Queensland Mind Institute, analysed information from 100 sufferers suspected of getting frontotemporal dementia who had been referred by specialist physicians like neurologists, psychiatrists or geriatricians.A health care provider seems over affected person notes with pen in handImage: Adobe.
“Of the 100 sufferers, 34 have been true-positive, and 66 have been false-positive for frontotemporal dementia,” Dr Flavell mentioned.
“We discovered that misinterpretation of mind scans, significantly nuclear imaging, led to 32 sufferers being incorrectly recognized.
“Likewise cognitive testing, similar to assessments of government operate, additionally contributed to misdiagnoses in 20 sufferers.”
The research in contrast the preliminary referral info with the ultimate medical diagnoses to find out patterns in diagnostic accuracy.
Frontotemporal dementia is among the most typical types of dementia in folks aged underneath 65.
In contrast to Alzheimer’s, which is characterised by reminiscence issues, frontotemporal dementia includes degeneration of the frontal and temporal lobes of the mind, affecting persona and behavior.
Dr Flavell mentioned the research highlighted the necessity for cautious interpretation of diagnostic assessments in sufferers suspected of getting the illness.
“We discovered sufferers with prior psychiatric histories have been extra more likely to be misdiagnosed,” he mentioned.
“Misinterpretation of mind scans and cognitive testing, significantly formal neuropsychological testing, considerably contributed to inaccurate diagnoses.”
Professor Nestor mentioned physicians needs to be cautious to not over-interpret neuroimaging and neuropsychology outcomes and be hesitant to label behavioural change as frontotemporal dementia in sufferers with prior psychiatric histories.
“Extra emphasis needs to be positioned on straight observing behaviours related to frontotemporal dementia and bodily neurological indicators within the clinic, somewhat than relying solely on second-hand stories of signs,” he mentioned.
“The workforce in contrast the preliminary referral prognosis of suspected frontotemporal dementia to long-term end result, following folks for so long as 5 years to be assured of the prognosis.
“By elevating consciousness of those pitfalls within the diagnostic course of, we really feel that diagnostic accuracy for frontotemporal dementia could be improved.”
The analysis was printed within the European Journal of Neurology.
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