[Non-cognitive symptoms of dementia -- prevalence and consequences].
OBJECTIVE
While the importance of non-cognitive symptoms of dementia is increasingly recognized there exist nearly no studies investigating the frequency of these symptoms among general hospital inpatients and nursing home residents.


METHODS
The sample consisted of elderly persons admitted to medical hospital departments (N = 372) and nursing homes (N = 249) in Austria. Study participants were investigated by research psychiatrists using the Clinical Interview Schedule.


RESULTS
Of all patients with dementia, in medical departments 28 % and in nursing homes 38 % had marked or severe non-cognitive symptoms. Using multivariate regression procedures non-cognitive symptoms turned out to be significant predictors for nursing home referral, for a prolonged duration of hospital stay, and for impaired self-care.


CONCLUSIONS
Non-cognitive symptoms of dementia occur frequently and have several negative consequences. Since such non-cognitive symptoms might be treatable, they should receive sufficient attention from the staff.
Wancata
Johannes
J
Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie, Klinische Abteilung für Sozialpsychiatrie und Evaluationsforschung, Wien. johannes.wancata@meduniwien.ac.at.
Benda
Norbert
N
Meise
Ullrich
U
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006748:Hospital Departments / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007388:Internal Medicine; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010360:Patient Transfer / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013223:Statistics as Topic