Agitation and aggressiveness among the elderly population living in nursing or retirement homes in France.
The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological features of agitation and aggressiveness in elderly individuals living in French nursing and retirement homes in the year 2000. Data were collected on the type, time of onset, and duration of symptoms, medical evaluation and treatment, and medical and psychiatric comorbidities of the elderly patients. The most frequently reported behavior was verbal aggressiveness and the least reported behavior was physical aggressiveness. A triggering factor initiating the symptoms of agitation or aggressiveness was reported in 61% of the cases. In 61% of the study population, there were several morbidities reported as caused by the agitated or aggressive behavior (anorexia, weight loss, dehydration). A specialist was consulted for nearly half of the agitated or aggressive patients. For 55% of the patients, a new medication regimen was started or the administration of previous medications was modified, the most frequently prescribed drugs being antipsychotics. The results of our study and others show that agitation and aggression have a substantial impact on the lives of the elderly population, as well as on the lives of their family members and caretakers.
Léger
Jean-Marie
JM
University Psychiatric Department, Esquirol Hospital, Limoges, France. jleger6931@aol.com
Moulias
Robert
R
Robert
Philippe
P
Vellas
Bruno
B
Chapuy
Paul-Henri
PH
Monfort
Jean Claude
JC
Khoshnood
Babak
B
Bouee
Stéphane
S
Rebah
Nadjib
N
Gerard
Daniel
D
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000374:Aggression / Q000187:drug effects / Q000523:psychology*; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs