Abstract
The practice guideline 'Diagnosis and pharmaceutical treatment of dementia' emphasizes that a nosological diagnosis should be made and that it is important to assess the extent of need for care. The guideline recommends the use of diagnostic criteria for the various conditions that can cause dementia. With respect to ancillary investigations, the burden to the patient should be weighed against the benefits of increasing diagnostic confidence. Observation of the course of the disease, laboratory and cerebrospinal-fluid investigations, neuropsychological and EEG examinations, and neuroimaging all increase diagnostic confidence. Treatment with a cholinesterase inhibitor or memantine should always be embedded in a comprehensive-treatment protocol that includes explicit discussion of treatment goals and expectations at baseline, in combination with criteria for starting and stopping treatment. Guidelines for evaluating the effects of treatment with cholinesterase inhibitors or memantine are specified. If psychosis, depression or behavioural disturbances occur in patients with dementia, antidepressants, antipsychotics or anticonvulsants may be indicated
Translated title of the contribution | The practice guideline 'Diagnosis and pharmaceutical treatment of dementia' |
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Original language | Dutch |
Pages (from-to) | 839-843 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Nederlands Tijdschrift voor Geneeskunde |
Volume | 150 |
Issue number | 15 |
Publication status | Published - 15 Apr 2006 |
Keywords
- Antipsychotic Agents/therapeutic use
- Cholinesterase Inhibitors/therapeutic use
- Cost of Illness
- Dementia/diagnosis
- Humans
- Memantine/therapeutic use
- Netherlands
- Neuropsychological Tests
- Practice Guidelines as Topic
- Practice Patterns, Physicians'
- Treatment Outcome