[Dementia diagnosis in general practice]

In a follow-up study eight GPs prospectively examined 36 strategically selected patients. As diagnostic tools psychometric tests, blood samples and physical examination including a CT-scan of the brain were used. After one year the surviving patients were reexamined with respect to cognitive testing, ADL-function and signs of depression. A panel of experts evaluated the records. The GPs found 19 patients to be demented, five patients possibly demented and five not demented. The experts found 21 demented, three possibly demented and five not demented. After the first examination the GPs and the experts found two patients with possible reversible dementia. However, the patients did not improve concerning their cognitive function despite relevant medical treatment. The degree of dementia was estimated by the GPs as being ten patients with light, ten with moderate and two with severe dementia, while the experts respectively found eight, 13 and two with the same items.