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The outcome is usually very poor. Complete dementia commonly occurs within 6 months or less of the onset of symptoms, with the person becoming totally incapable of self-care.

The disorder is fatal in a short time, usually within 7 months, but a few people survive as long as 1 or 2 years after diagnosis of the disorder. The cause of death is usually infection, heart failure, or respiratory failure.
Complications:
  • Infection
  • Heart failure
  • Respiratory failure
  • Loss of ability to function or care for oneself
  • Loss of ability to interact with others
  • Side effects of medications used to treat the disorder (see the specific medication)
  • Death
Calling your health care provider:

Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease is not a medical emergency, but early diagnosis and treatment may make the symptoms easier to control, allow patients time to make advance directives, and give families additional time to come to terms with the condition.
References:
Text Continues Below

Llewelyn CA, Hewitt PE, et al. Possible transmission of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease by blood transfusion. Lancet 2004;363:417-421.

Peden AH, Head MW, et al. Preclinical vCJD after blood transfusion in a PRNP codon 129 heterozygous patient. Lancet 2004;264:527-529.

Brown P, Will RG, Bradley R, Asher DM, Detwiler L. Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy and Variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease: Background, Evolution, and Current Concerns. EID. January-February 2001; 7(1):6-16.

Noble J. Textbook of Primary Care Medicine. 3rd ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2001:1551-1569.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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