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Behavioural disturbances in dementia.
C Pinto1, D Panikker, N Deshpande
1Holy Family Hospital, Bandra (W), Mumbai-400 050.
The Journal of the Association of Physicians of India
|March 29, 2001
Summary
Behavioral disturbances are common in dementia patients, affecting over 60%. These issues are most frequent in moderate dementia and Alzheimer's disease, suggesting targeted management strategies are crucial.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- Behavioral disturbances are a significant challenge in dementia care.
- Understanding their prevalence and relationship with dementia severity is crucial for effective management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of behavioral disturbances in dementia patients.
- To investigate the association between dementia severity and these disturbances.
Main Methods:
- The study included 75 dementia patients meeting DSM-IV criteria.
- Behavioral disturbances, activities of daily living (ADL), cognitive function, and dementia severity (Clinical Dementia Rating scale) were assessed.
- Data was collected from patients and primary caregivers.
Main Results:
- Over 60% of patients exhibited behavioral disturbances.
- Psychotic and activity-associated disturbances were most common, particularly in Alzheimer's disease.
- Disturbances peaked in moderate dementia severity and decreased as the condition progressed.
Conclusions:
- Behavioral disturbances are a prominent feature of dementia.
- Judicious use of psychiatric medication is recommended for managing these symptoms.