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Diagnostic Accuracy in Presenile Dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 January 2018

M. A. Ron ,
B. K. Toone ,
M. E. Garralda  and
W. A. Lishman
M. A. Ron
Affiliation:
The Bethlem and Maudsley Hospitals and the Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF
B. K. Toone
Affiliation:
The Bethlem and Maudsley Hospitals and the Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF
M. E. Garralda
Affiliation:
The Bethlem and Maudsley Hospitals and the Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF
W. A. Lishman
Affiliation:
The Bethlem and Maudsley Hospitals and the Institute of Psychiatry, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London SE5 8AF
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Summary

A follow-up study of patients diagnosed as suffering from presenile dementia has revealed a high incidence of erroneous diagnoses. Of 52 patients discharged from hospital with this diagnosis, information was obtained 5–15 years later on 51. Eighteen were alive and the diagnosis was rejected in 16 (31 per cent). Possible reasons for the mistaken diagnoses are discussed.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 134 , Issue 2 , February 1979 , pp. 161 - 168
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1979 

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