Senile Dementia—Some Aetiological Factors

¹ Consultant Psychiatrist, Stanley Royd Hospital, Wakefield: 388 Barnsley Road, Sandal, Wakefield, Yorkshire

The investigation concerns 62 female patients admitted to Whittingham Hospital, Preston, diagnosed as suffering from senile dementia, and having relatives available for answering a series of questions. They were matched with 62 female patients admitted to geriatric hospitals on account of physical disorders, and with 43 ladies from Old People's Clubs. The mean ages of the three groups were 75, 77 and 72 years respectively.

In the proband group it was found that in the great majority of cases the onset was insidious and there was an absence of physical or psychological precipitating causes. There was a family history of senile dementia in the relatives of 18 per cent. of the proband group, but in none of the control groups. Marital status, social isolation and sensory deprivation through loss of sight or hearing did not seem to play a part in the aetiology.

Of greatest significance is the score on the obsessional scale. It is shown that there is a positive relationship between senile dementia and a high score on the obsessional scale used, and it is suggested that the possession of those qualities in the personality which contribute to the high score is a predisposing factor in the aetiology.

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