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Biomedical subjects

L Bidzan

Publications and source records attributed to L Bidzan.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1995

[Mini mental state as a method of diagnosing early dementia].

The aim of the present paper was to evaluate the validity of the Mini Mental State as a screening instrument for the diagnosis of dementia in comparison with the DSWM III R criteria for dementing syndromes. We conducted a case-control study of 335 person--89 had a diagnosis of primary progressive dementia, 76 had a diagnosis of vascular dementia. The data show that the Mini Mental State is useful clinical instrument for the preliminary screening for the diagnosis of dementia.

Aged↗
PubMed1989

[Changes in thyroid function in primary degenerative dementia processes].

To overcome diagnostic uncertainties in early phases of Alzheimer's disease (pre-senile dementia), the analysis of T-3 and T-4 concentration can be usefully employed. Arising out of the localisation neuropathological findings in Alzheimer type dementia, it could be that hormonal findings perform a useful function as indicators of a change in neurotransmitter activity in this disease.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[The psychopathological symptoms of the preclinical stages of Alzheimer's disease].

The aim of the undertaken studies based on many years' observation of the group of elderly people was to describe psychopoathological pictures typical of preclinical phase of Alzheimer disease (AD) as well as the changes in social functioning. The obtained data were to serve to work out the criteria making initial recognition of preclinical phase of AD possible. Estimation of direct degree--in the perspective of next few years--of the danger of dementia of Alzheimer type should simplify making a decision about including therapeutic activities. 204 persons have completed the five-year-observation (70% of the qualified). During the observation AD has developed at 19 persons, five of the examined at the beginning of the observation were described as "no disturbances of cognitive functions"--I according to the GDS scale and 14 were qualified as "slight impairment of cognitive functions"--GDS II. The basis for further conclusions was the comparison of the results obtained in the groups of people at whom, during the five-year-observation, in the examination with the GDS scale, no changes regarding cognitive functions have been observed, with those examined in whom dementia has been recognised. Statistic analysis has been done mostly for the results obtained before the appearance of the dementia. The conducted studies made it possible to verify the stated hypotheses and draw the following conclusions: preclinical period of AD is connected with intensification of psychopathological disturbances, especially depression; in the period preceding the development of AD usually slight disturbances of cognitive functions appear which are most often revealed during the particular examination of cognitive functions; clear decrease in social activity is typical of the preclinical phase of AD; people in premorbid period showed various disturbances but no symptom has been observed that would be pathognomic for the preclinical phase of AD; it is possible, on the basis of the examination by means of proper clinical scales, to predict the danger of dementia but it is necessary to take into account various elements of psychic state and social functioning.

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PubMedDate not supplied

[Time perception (chronognosis) in mental disorders].

The study proposes an evaluation of one of the parameters of psychological time--the rhythm of time--established by simple experimental methods. 43 persons were studied. The results obtained show that there are differences between persons with psychopathological symptoms and healthy group.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Dependence on serum cortisol level or the severity of intellectual impairment in primary degenerative dementias].

Basal serum cortisol level was measured in patients with primary degenerative dementia. The diagnosis of primary degenerative dementia was made by the DSM-III-R criteria, and the severity of dementia was measured by use the Rosen et. al. scale. Additionally, the presence of depressive and paraphrenia syndromes was evaluated. The Hamilton scale was used for the evaluation of depression severity. Cortisol level was measured by radioimmune assay. Sixty three patients, 39 female and 24 male, were evaluated. The mean age for women was 69.54 and for men 71 years. Patients were divided into 3 groups: I--simple dementia, II--dementia with depression, III--dementia with paraphrenia. Positive correlation was found between basal cortisol level and the severity of dementia only in group I. Mean cortisol level in patients from group II and III was significantly different than in group I. Among female patients with depression the negative correlation between cortisol level and severity of dementia was found; no other correlations were proved. No correlation was found between the cortisol level and severity of dementia in Hamilton's scale.

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PubMedDate not supplied

[Risk factors for dementia of the Alzheimer type].

A case-control study was conducted on 90 cases of "probable" Alzheimer's disease and 97 controls at the same age as patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type. The patients were diagnosed according to the DSM IIIR criteria. Information was obtained on birth and childhood, medical and surgical history, exposure to various social, psychological and biological factors, family history of dementia. A structured questionnaire was based on AMDP-system. Some of the variables studied reached statistical significance: first of all unfavourable factors (especially poor livelihood) taking place during the person's childhood, the level of education and social activity. Family history of dementia among persons with Alzheimer type dementia also reached statistical significance. Head trauma was more frequent in patients with dementia, but the differences were not significant. The findings suggest a possible etiologic role for some environmental factors in dementia of the Alzheimer type.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Risk factors for dementia of the Alzheimer's type].

A case-control study was conducted on 16 cases of probable Alzheimer's disease and 32 controls matched for age. The first control group was younger while the second was at the same age as patients with dementia of the Alzheimer's type. The patients were diagnosed according to DSM IIIR criteria. Information was obtained on birth and childhood, medical and surgical history, exposure to various social, psychological and biological factors as well as a family history of dementia. A structured questionnaire based on the AMDP--system was completed. Some of the variables studied reached statistical significance. First of all the sum of unfavourable environmental factors taking place during the person's childhood and elderly was predictive. Also head trauma was more frequent in patients with dementia. The findings suggest a possible etiologic role for some environmental factors in dementia of the Alzheimer's type.

Aged↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Degrees of alcoholic dependency in patient's self evaluation].

The study involved a group of 33 males with diagnosed alcohol abuse. A degree of the disease was determined according to Standard Anamnesis Sheet and Auxilliary Alcohol Dependence Questionnaire (Woronowicz's Questionnaire). The patient's results were compared with their wives' results in order to determine trustworthiness. The goal of this study was to determine the factors influencing patient's critical assessment of their disease. The results reveal a relationship between patient's assessment and clinical manifestations of their dependence tend to underestimate the degree of their disease.

Alcoholism↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Initial symptoms and risk factors in Alzheimer's dementia].

The present paper summarizes recent data related to the risk factors for dementia of the Alzheimer type. More than 100 factors were reported in the literature but only two factors clearly implicated: age and family history of dementing illness. Among hypothesized environmental risk factors for dementia of the Alzheimer type, a previous head trauma was found significantly associated with the disease. Many other biological and psychosocial factors are discussed but the results are not consistent.

Age Factors↗