Reasonable Hypothesis SOP [1] | 35 of 2019 |
Balance of Probabilities SOP [2] | 36 of 2019 |
SOP Bulletin 207 [3]
G31.3
Neurocognitive disorder with Lewy bodies covers dementia with Lewy bodies and also mild neurocognitive disorder with Lewy bodies. Dementia with Lewy bodies is now recognised to be the third most common type of dementia, after Alzheimer disease and vascular dementia.
The diagnosis is made based on the presence of core clinical features on history and examination, including cognitive testing. Distinguishing clinical features (in addition to dementia) include fluctuations in cognition and levels of alertness, visual hallucinations, parkinsonism and sleep (movement) disorders. Neuroimaging may be performed but findings are not diagnostic. The condition can be difficult to diagnose clinically and to distinguish from Alzheimer disease and from Parkinson disease with dementia. The diagnosis can also be confirmed pathologically, at autopsy.
The relevant medical specialist is a neurologist or geriatrician.
Additional diagnoses covered by these SOPs
* another SOP applies
# non-SOP condition
Clinical onset will be when symptoms and findings on clinical examination were first sufficent to allow an appropriate medical practitioner to say the condition was present. Onset is typically after age 65.
As with other degenerative dementias, cognitive decline in dementia with Lewy bodies progresses inexorably in all patients. There is no treatment available that modifies the course of the condition.
Links
[1] http://www.rma.gov.au/assets/SOP/2019/4100b1e1ff/035.pdf
[2] http://www.rma.gov.au/assets/SOP/2019/154c31449b/036.pdf
[3] https://clik.dva.gov.au/system/files/media/SOP%20Bulletin%20207.pdf