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Neuropsychiatric symptoms in elderly inpatients: a multicenter cross-sectional study
A Mézière1, M Blachier, S Thomas
1Soins de Suite et Réadaptation Gériatrique, Fondation d'Heur et Chemin Delatour, GH La Pitié Salpêtrière-Charles Foix, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Ivry-sur-Seine, Paris ; Service de Gériatrie, Hôpital Albert Chenevier, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, Paris.
Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common in geriatric rehabilitation patients, especially those with dementia. Cognitive impairment severity correlates with specific symptoms like hyperactivity and psychosis.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Neurology
- Psychiatry
Background:
- High prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in elderly populations.
- Geriatric rehabilitation patients are a vulnerable group for NPS.
- Dementia significantly impacts NPS in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine NPS prevalence in geriatric rehabilitation patients.
- Compare NPS between patients with and without dementia.
- Evaluate the association between cognitive impairment severity and NPS.
Main Methods:
- Study included 194 patients aged 75+ in Paris geriatric rehabilitation units.
- Utilized the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) for symptom assessment.
- Applied European Alzheimer's Disease Consortium (EADC) criteria for subsyndromes.
Main Results:
- 76.8% of patients had dementia; 79.4% experienced at least one NPS.
- Agitation was most common in dementia (36.9%), depression in non-dementia (35.6%).
- Dementia group showed higher hyperactivity (p<0.001) and delusions (p=0.01). Cognitive impairment severity linked to hyperactivity and psychosis.
Conclusions:
- NPS prevalence is high in geriatric rehabilitation patients.
- Prevalence is comparable to elderly outpatients.
- Cognitive impairment severity is a significant factor in NPS presentation.
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