Analysis of patients with dementia: Use of computer tomographic and vascular risk

Background: The diagnosis of dementia is complicated due to the frequent coexistence of degenerative changes and the lack of uniformity in diagnostic criteria. Objective: To determine the correlation between computed tomography and risk factors in patients with dementia. Methods: 100 patients with a diagnosis of senile dementia, vascular dementia, or Alzheimer's disease were studied. Vascular risk factors included diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cerebrovascular disease, and hypercholesterolemia. CT scans and Hachinski Ischemic scores were recorded. Results: A total of 100 patients (69 women, 31 men) with the prevalence of dementia were studied. The average for women was 79.81 ± 8.2 years. Metabolic concentrations were of no significant value, provided 56% had risk factors such as hypertension. Symptom onset was recorded at 41.39 ± 30.08 months. Computed tomography revealed that 16 % presented signs of ischemia, 12 % cortico-subcortical atrophy, 1 % infarction, and 1% were detected with signs of frontal-parietal flattening. Conclusions: It is possible to use computed tomography in conjunction with vascular risk factors to detect cognitive impairment.