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Abstract
The 2009 Dementia strategy promoted a ‘memory clinic in every town’. We investigated the patient mix seen in a neurology-led memory clinic.
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Retrospective review (2004, 2006, 2012) attendees to memory clinic.
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Prospective review memory clinic from October 2012–Dec 2013.
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Survey to neurologists in Specialist Interest Group in Cognition (ABN).
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Survey of local GPs.
Results
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Percentage of attendees with benign memory complaints increased from 30% & 32% in 2004 and 2006 to 55% in 2012.
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Oct 2012–Dec 2013 >50% attendees do not have dementia or MCI.
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9 responders: A mean of 27% of attendees of neurology-led memory clinics in the UK have ‘benign memory complaints’.
The following terms were used:
▸ Attentional amnestic disorder,
▸ Attentional cognitive complaints,
▸ Worried well,
▸ Subjective memory complaints,
▸ Subjective memory impairment,
▸ Normal cognitive ageing,
▸ Hypocondrial,
▸ ‘Stress related.’ 4. GPs used; ‘worried well’, ‘benign senescent forgetfulness’, ‘Possible dementia’, ‘mild neurocognitive disorder’ and ‘late life forgetfulness’ & treated with antidepressants but also referred to psychology or memory clinic.
People attending memory clinic frequently do not have dementia and currently there is no consensus for diagnostic label or treatment.
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