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The GBS scale in multi-infarct dementia and senile dementia of Alzheimer type
K Olafsson1, A Kørner, A Bille
1Psychogeriatric Department, Vordingborg Psychiatric Hospital, Denmark.
Abstract:
The GBS profile was assessed for 39 patients with multi-infarct dementia (MID) and 34 patients with senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT). The MID patients fulfilled the DSM-III criteria for multi-infarct dementia and had a score of 7 points or more on the Hachinski Ischemic Scale (HIS) and a score of 4 points or less on the Gustafson/Nilsson Alzheimer Scale (GNAS). The SDAT patients fulfilled DSM-III criteria for primary degenerative dementia and had a score of 5 points or more on the GNAS and a score of 6 points or less on the HIS. The total GBS score, the GBS subscale and relative subscale scores for intellectual functioning were significantly higher in patients with SDAT as compared with patients with MID. However, these subscale scores were considerably dispersed and nearly totally overlapping between patients with MID and SDAT, which implicates that the discriminative value is minimal. The validity between the GBS versus HIS and between the GBS versus GNAS was divergent, suggesting that the GBS scale has its own unique validity. In conclusion, the study does not support the hypothesis that the GBS profile may be of diagnostic value in clinical differentiation between multi-infarct dementia (MID) and senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT).
Insights
The Geriatric Behavioral Syndrome (GBS) profile did not effectively differentiate between multi-infarct dementia (MID) and senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT). Scores showed significant overlap, limiting its diagnostic value for these dementia types.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Gerontology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Differentiating between multi-infarct dementia (MID) and senile dementia of Alzheimer type (SDAT) is clinically significant.
- The Geriatric Behavioral Syndrome (GBS) profile was investigated for its potential diagnostic utility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic value of the GBS profile in distinguishing MID from SDAT.
- To assess the GBS scale's validity against established diagnostic criteria and scales.
Main Methods:
- Assessed GBS profiles in 39 MID patients and 34 SDAT patients meeting DSM-III criteria.
- Utilized Hachinski Ischemic Scale (HIS) and Gustafson/Nilsson Alzheimer Scale (GNAS) for patient classification.
- Compared GBS total and subscale scores between the two dementia groups.
Main Results:
- GBS intellectual functioning subscale scores were higher in SDAT patients than MID patients.
- Significant score dispersion and overlap were observed between MID and SDAT groups.
- GBS showed divergent validity with HIS and GNAS, indicating unique properties.
Conclusions:
- The GBS profile does not support the hypothesis of diagnostic value in clinically differentiating MID from SDAT.
- The considerable overlap in GBS scores limits its discriminative power between these dementia subtypes.