Elderly Hispanic Man With Social Withdrawal
What do you suspect is responsible for this patient’s progressively worsening cognitive symptoms?
CHALLENGING CASE
A 77-year-old Hispanic man is referred by his primary care physician (PCP) for evaluation of progressively worsening cognitive symptoms that began 5 to 7 years earlier, according to his son, who has accompanied him to the appointment. The man, who was formerly very social, has become increasingly withdrawn. Whereas he used to sit for hours on a park bench and talk with friends, now he spends most of his time inside watching TV or sleeping. Within the past year, he has started to forget where he placed items around the house, and he has trouble remembering names, including those of his grandchildren.
About 6 months earlier, his PCP prescribed an antidepressant because of his social withdrawal and increased sleep, but his symptoms have not improved.
History
The man grew up in Mexico and immigrated to the US at the age of 25. He has a high school education and completed one year of college during night school. He worked in construction until the age of 40, after which he started a successful Mexican restaurant. He retired 7 years ago, when his son took over management of the restaurant. He has been married for 45 years and has three children and six grandchildren.
He has a history of diabetes, high blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia. Medications include metformin, enalapril, and atorvastatin.
Family history is pertinent for
Examination
Blood pressure is elevated (145/90 mm Hg). Heart rate and temperature are normal. No tremor is appreciated.
The man speaks English fluently but at a slow pace and with a strong accent. He has a flat affect but denies symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation.
On mental status examination, the patient is oriented to location and year but not to month or day of the week. He can recall one of four unrelated words at two minutes, completes two of five calculations correctly, can name three of four common objects correctly, and makes several errors in repeating a complex sentence. He can draw the face of a clock but has trouble placing the numbers and hands correctly.
Workup
Thyroid-stimulating hormone, vitamin B12, and vitamin D levels are within normal limits.
An MRI scan reveals no evidence of brain tumor or past stroke and shows changes suggestive of cerebral and hippocampal atrophy. A CT scan shows diffuse cerebral atrophy, widened sulci, dilatation of the lateral ventricles, and decreased hippocampal volume.
ALZHEIMER DISEASE
Management
While a definitive diagnosis of
Discussion
In the US, the
Because of a burgeoning population, Hispanics are expected to have the
While the
However, racial/ethnic differences in early symptoms of AD may also play a role. A
The
The findings also highlight the need for more culturally sensitive public health campaigns to improve education, diagnosis, and treatment of AD among Hispanics.
References:
1. Matthews KA, Xu W, Gaglioti AH, et al.
2. Vega IE, Cabrera LY, Wygant CM, et al.
3. Weissberger GH, Gollan TH, Bondi MW, et al.
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