Clinical profile of Alzheimer’s patients: A multihospital based study done in India

Abstract

Objectives. To find out the risk factors, clinical features, co-morbid conditions and management practices among AD patients. Materials and methods. This study was conducted at three major tertiary care hospitals in Mangalore city of south India. Medical records of confirmed cases of AD over the recent 10 years were analyzed. A semi-structured proforma was used for data collection. Outcomes. Mean age of the 55 AD patients was 81.1±7.6 years. The mean age at diagnosis was 75.95±7.95 years. The age at the onset of AD in 14 (25.5%) patients was from 76 to 80 years. Early onset AD (≤ 65 years) was reported among 9 (16.4%) patients. 35 (63.6%) patients were males and 37 (67.3%) were from urban area. Family history of AD was present among 2 (3.6%) patients. History of depression and traumatic brain injury was present among 5 (9.1%) and 4 (7.3%) patients respectively. History of consumption of alcohol and smoking was present in 9 (16.4%) and 7 (12.7%) patients respectively. Clinical features such as disorientation and recent memory loss was present among 39 (70.9%) and 38 (69.1%) patients respectively. Donepezil was used for the management of AD in 44 (80%) of patients. Non-pharmacological methods like physiotherapy were recommended in 21 (38.2%) AD patients. Conclusions. Considering the varied problems faced by the Alzheimer’s affected patients in terms of co-morbidities and clinical presentation, a multidisciplinary approach for the management of AD is suggested. More non-pharmacologic methods need to be introduced at this setting.

Keywords

• alzheimer’s disease
• risk factors
• clinical features
• management
• hospital based study