Prevalence and correlates of Capgras syndrome in Alzheimer's disease.
OBJECTIVE
This study examined the prevalence and clinical correlates of Capgras syndrome (CS) in Alzheimer's disease.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study of elderly patients evaluated at an outpatient memory disorders clinic classified according to the presence or absence of CS.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty-one consecutive patients diagnosed with probable (N=110) or possible (N=48) Alzheimer's disease (AD) utilizing NINCDS-ADRDA diagnostic criteria.


METHODS
The Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer's Disease Rating Scale (BEHAVE-AD), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Blessed Dementia Scale (BDS).


RESULTS
CS was observed in 10% of the sample (N=16). Associated factors included other delusions, lower MMSE scores and higher BDS scores. The relation between CS and both cognitive and functional status remained significant after controlling for other delusions.


CONCLUSIONS
CS was prevalent in approximately 10% of our community-dwelling AD sample. This syndrome was more common at the later stages of the illness and showed relations with increased functional impairment and other psychotic symptomatology.
Wien Center for Alzheimer's Disease and Memory Disorders, Mount Sinai Medical Center and the University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami Beach, FL 33140, USA.
D G
DG
Harwood
W W
WW
Barker
R L
RL
Ownby
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R
Duara
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002194:Capgras Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003702:Delusions / Q000453:epidemiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales