Psychiatric symptoms associated with Alzheimer's disease.
A retrospective chart review was undertaken to assess the prevalence of specifically defined psychiatric symptoms in 217 outpatients with clinically probable Alzheimer's disease. A weak but significant correlation was found between Alzheimer's disease and suspiciousness and paranoia (reported by 35.5% of patients), delusions (30%), and formed visual hallucinations (18.4%). Mild depressive symptoms, such as sad affect, hopelessness, and helplessness were reported by 40.6% of patients, anxiety and fearfulness by 30.9%, and aggressive acts by 24.9%. Psychotropic medications used to manage these symptoms included antipsychotics, in 11.5% of patients, anxiolytics, in 9.2%, and antidepressants, in 7.4%.
Mendez
M F
MF
Department of Neurology, University Hospitals of Cleveland, Ohio.
Martin
R J
RJ
Smyth
K A
KA
Whitehouse
P J
PJ
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D010552:Personality Assessment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs