[The incidence of reversible dementia in 145 patients referred on suspicion of dementia].

INTRODUCTION: We performed a retrospective study of 145 consecutive patients referred on suspicion of dementia. We were particularly interested in the occurrence of reversible dementia. Dementia was defined with reference to the ICD-10 criteria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All patients underwent a clinical neurological examination, a battery of blood tests, and a CT scan of the brain. RESULTS: Dementia was found in 63% and in only 4% was it potentially reversible: Three patients had subnormal cobalamin and one patient had normal pressure hydrocephalus. However, treatment did not influence the state of dementia. Hence, patients with reversible dementia were not identified in this study. In the group without dementia one patient had a meningoma. Mental depression was the most common "second" diagnosis in both groups. DISCUSSION: The number of patients with potential dementia was surprisingly small. We conclude that most patients with reversible dementia are detected by their general practitioner and that the majority of patients suspected of dementia can be diagnosed by the general practitioner, especially if access to CT scans is further liberalised.