An algorithm for the early diagnosis and correct approach to dementia management: results of a multiprofessional team
Authors: Gareri Pietro , Cotroneo Antonino Maria , Gelmini Giovanni , Mossello Enrico , Massaia Massimiliano ,   The Touch Working Group, Bartalucci Francesca , Bellintani Lorenzo , Cerracchio Erika , Corsi Maurizio , Duca Sara , Dikova Natasa , Salimbeni Carlo Fattorelli , Gorizia Antonina , Makoui Chahariar , Mantovani Marco , Menon Vanda , Modugno Maria , Nesti Alessandra , Paolello Paolo , Perrone Chiara , Risaliti Riccardo , Scarpinato Rosa Aura , Scataglini Fabrizio , Vitale Enrico , Zanini Loredana , Abbruzzese Rosa , Castagna Luciano , Conforti Raffaele , Crooke Stefano , Dragoni Giovanni , Fabbri Giuliana , Falvo Fraia , Frezza Roberta , Gozzoli Maria Paola , Invernizzi Jasmine , Lagorio Marta , Lalli Antonio , Miceli Cristina , Obialero Rossella , Olivelli Valentino , Raganato Paolo , Rampin Ernesto , Rossi Graziella , Speme Stefania , Triches Cristina , Villanova Maria , Balducci Martina , Boccuti Viera , Chiloiro Roberta , Colarusso Lucilla , Crosta Francesca , D’Andrea Licia , Greco Eleonora , Iovenitti Maria Pia , Leopardi Nunziata , Marchini Chiara , Menza Carmina , Patella Rosalba , Pugnotti Monica , Rapelli Riccardo , Sinibaldi Giulia , Alagona Giovanna , Arena Sebastiano , Bagnulo Vito Maria , Baiamonte Valentina , Burrascano Marco , Chessari Salvatore , Chiarenza Eleonora Rita , Chirico Margherita , Crivello Floriana , Di Prima Anna , Di Stefano Angelo , Dieli Salvatore , Ferrigno Rosalba , Garifoli Angelo , Marrucci Luigi , Martelli Domenico , Nieddu Antonio , Rapisarda Epifanio , Sateriale Maria Rosaria , Scalise Claudia , Venezia Amedeo , Zupo Vincenzo , Attino Luciana , Barbato Barbara , Berton Linda , Chiesa Roberto , Colin Antonio , Comitale Emma , De Angelis Lino , De Mitri Luigi , Fagherazzi Carlo , Falco Teresa , Ferracin Stefania , Leone Giuseppe , Maddonni Antonio , Mainquà Paola , Melfi Maria , Mobilia Carolina Anna , Montella Antonio , Morselli Linda , Mosele Marco , Pelagalli Giulia , Pratesi Maria , Puzio Gianfranco , Simonini Gian Luca 
Published: May 2024

Backgroung

The early identification of cognitive disorder is a primary scope, because it could reduce the rate of severe cognitive impairment and thus contribute to reduce healthcare costs in the next future.

Aims

The present paper aimed to build a virtuous diagnostic path of cognitive impairment, highlighting all the professionalism that can serve this purpose.

Methods

The Delphi method was used by the experts, who reviewed the information available during each meeting related to the following topics: early diagnosis of cognitive impairment, definition of Mild Cognitive Impairment, unmet needs in post-stroke patients, critical decision-making nodes in complex patients, risk factors, neuropsychological, imaging diagnosis, blood tests, the criteria for differential diagnosis and the possible treatments.

Results

The discussion panels analyzed and discussed the available evidences on these topics and the related items. At each meeting, the activities aimed at the creation of a diagnostic-welfare flow chart derived from the proposal of the board and the suggestions of the respondents. Subsequently, the conclusions of each panel were written, and the study group reviewed them until a global consensus was reached. Once this process was completed, the preparation of the final document was carried out.

Conclusions

Eventually, we built an algorithm for the early diagnosis and treatment, the risk factors, with the possible differences among the different kinds of dementia.