Use of Hachinski Ischemic Score in the Memory Clinic: Thai Experience
Sasitorn Siritho MD*, Vorapun Senanarong MD, FRCP*, Arpas Nako MD*, Wattananchai Chotinaiwattarakul MD*, Piyanuj Jamjumrus BSc*, Suthipol Udompunthuruk MSc**, Niphon Poungvarin MD, FRCP*
Affiliation : * Division of Neurology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hopital, Mahidol University ** Institution of Research Development, Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hopital, Mahidol University
Background : The validity of Hachinski Ischemic Score (HIS) in differentiating between Alzheimer’s disease
(AD) and Vascular dementia(VaD) has been questioned and compared with the gold standard autopsy.
Objective : To confirm that the HIS can be used to differentiate related VaD from AD in a Thai population.
Materials and Methods : A prospective study of 398 patients who were attending the Memory Clinic, at Siriraj
Hospital between January 2001 and October 2003.
Results : The 214 patients, with a mean age of 71.15 + 10.20 years, were classified as AD, VaD or mixed
dementia (AD with cerebrovascular disease) in proportion of 60.2%, 30.4%, and 9.3% respectively. The
authors propose HIS at 5 as a cut off point to differentiate patients with AD and those with VaD or AD with
cerebrovascular disease with sensitivity of 85.3% and specificity of 72.9%.
Conclusion : The HIS can be applied to differentiate dementia related vascular etiology from AD in a Thai
population.
Keywords : Hachinski Ischemic score, Alzheimer disease, Vascular dementia, Mixed dementia, Thai
