title: The treatment of psychosis in late life.
abstract: The authors emphasize the need for careful differential diagnosis when symptoms of psychosis arise in patients over the age of 65 years. Prevalence of psychotic disorders in the elderly ranges from 0.2%-4.7% in community-based samples to 10% in a nursing home population and as high as 63% in a study of Alzheimer's patients. Risk factors associated with the development of psychotic symptoms and common causes of delirium are reviewed. Because age-related changes affect the pharmacokinetics of neuroleptics, the authors' treatment recommendations, which include the use of traditional and novel antipsychotics, take into account the higher risk of side effects in the elderly.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Mo., USA.
authors.forename: E M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Zayas
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Grossberg
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003663:Decision Trees; D003693:Delirium / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D018967:Risperidone / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine; D018967:Risperidone