Diagnostic accuracy in presenile dementia

Abstract

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.