PROFILE AND PATTERN OF PEOPLE DIAGNOSED WITH EARLY ONSET DEMENTIA ATTENDING A PSYCHOGERIATRIC CLINIC IN SOUTHWESTERN NIGERIA: A RETROSPECTIVE CASE SERIES.

Abstract

Background: Accessing data on the profile and pattern of people diagnosed with early onset dementia (EOD) can be challenging, especially in Low-and-Middle-Income Countries. Research focused on the epidemiology of EOD will improve early detection and diagnosis, and the understanding of its impact on individuals and society.

Objective: The study seeks to describe the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of people diagnosed with EOD in an outpatient memory clinic.

Method: A retrospective quantitative case series to investigate the pattern and characteristics of people diagnosed with EOD attending a Psychogeriatric Clinic in Southwestern Nigeria. Data were collected manually from the medical case records of people with dementia who attended the psychogeriatric clinic.

Results: The subjects' mean ± SD age was 60.2 ± 4.2 years and 50% were females. The most common medical comorbidity was hypertension (50.0%). Depression (15.8%) was the most common behavioral symptom. Alzheimer's dementia (50.0%) was the predominant dementia type. There was a significant difference in the age (p=0.001), Boston naming test (p=0.011), based on the educational status of the participants. The neuropsychological profile of the participants showed low scores in some specific domains like memory and language.

Conclusion: Depression and hypertension are major comorbid conditions affecting persons with EOD. Such persons are impaired in some specific domains such as memory and language skills. Early detection and management of both conditions could have a positive impact on the overall management of Early-Onset Dementia.