title: Effect of high climate temperature on the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to investigate if high climate temperature could have a negative effect on behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Six patients discharged from the "Richiedei" Alzheimer Rehabilitation Unit-Italy during a period of very high climate temperature (June 14-21, 2002, 30.4 degrees C [86.7 degrees F]) are defined as the case-group. Sociodemographic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics are compared with those of patients discharged during the previous 5 weeks (I control-group, n = 10) and the following 5 weeks (II control-group, n = 9).
  
  
  METHODS
  On admission and on discharge, a multidimensional evaluation was performed assessing mental and functional status, BPSD (Neuropsychiatric Inventory, NPI), somatic health status, and pharmacotherapy. Changes in BPSD severity was computed as the difference in NPI total score (Delta-NPI) between the last and the first week of stay. Atmospheric temperature was also considered.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The three groups did not differ with respect to sociodemographic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics. On admission, frequency and severity of BPSD were similar among groups; whereas on discharge, the case-group had an increase in NPI scores (NPI during the first week [median], 13 in the case-group vs. 21 in the I control-group vs. 20.5 in the II one; during the last week: 24.5 vs. 9.5 vs. 15, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High climate temperature could have a negative impact on behavior in demented patients. To explain the possible mechanisms of the negative impact of high climate temperature on behavior, two hypotheses are proposed.
authors.affiliation: Alzheimer Rehabilitation Unit, Richiedei Medical Center, via Sgrazutti 1, 25036 Palazzolo s/O, Brescia, Italy. cristinacornali@yahoo.it
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cornali
authors.forename: Simone
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Franzoni
authors.forename: Roberta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Riello
authors.forename: Diego
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ghianda
authors.forename: Giovanni B
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Frisoni
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trabucchi
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D018882:Heat Stress Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008297:Male; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D018697:Nootropic Agents