The NUH Memory Clinic

Abstract

Objective: To assess the cognitive performance of elderly patients referred to the memory clinic. Design: The patients were interviewed using the computerised mental state programme, GMS-AGECAT, and assessed on the Cognitive Assessment Scale (CAS) which includes the Elderly Cognitive Assessment Questionnaire (ECAQ) and the Cambridge Memory Test (CMT), modified for Chinese elderly. Subjects: There were 72 Chinese elderly subjects aged 65 years and above, referred to the NUH memory clinic in the first year. Results: Only 45 (62.5%) of the 72 subjects were diagnosed to have dementia using DSM III R criteria. There were 25 cases of Alzheimer's Disease and 20 multi-infarct dementia. In the non-demented group, 15 (20.8%) had depression or anxiety disorders and 12 (16. 7%), had no mental disorders but had physical illness which could affect memory. There was a highly significant difference in the ECAQ, CMT and CAS scores of demented and non-demented elderly. There was also a significant difference in the cognitive performance of elderly with mild dementia and those with no mental disorder. Conclusion: The memory clinic is a useful facility for the diagnosis and management of dementia. The Cognitive Assessment Scale provides a valid and reliable battery of tests for dementia.