The course of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia. Part I: findings from the two-year longitudinal Maasbed study.
BACKGROUND
Although neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia are common, there have been few large long-term prospective studies assessing the course of a broad range of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the course of neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with dementia, including data about prevalence, incidence and persistence.


METHODS
One hundred and ninety-nine patients with dementia were assessed every six months for two-years, using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) to evaluate neuropsychiatric symptoms.


RESULTS
Nearly all patients (95%) developed one or more neuropsychiatric symptoms in the two-year study period. Mood disorders were the most common problem. The severity of depression decreased, whereas the severity of apathy and aberrant motor behaviour increased during follow-up. The cumulative incidence was highest for hyperactive behaviours and apathy. Overall behavioral problems were relatively persistent, but most symptoms were intermittent, with apathy and aberrant motor behaviour being persistent for longer consecutive periods.


CONCLUSIONS
Neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia are a common and major problem. Different symptoms have their own specific course, most of the time show a intermittent course, but behavioural problems overall are chronically present. The data have implications for developing treatment strategies.
Aalten
Pauline
P
Department of Psychiatry and Neuropsychology, University of Maastricht, The Netherlands.
de Vugt
Marjolein E
ME
Jaspers
Niek
N
Jolles
Jaspers
J
Verhey
Frans R J
FR
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D018450:Disease Progression; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019964:Mood Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000209:etiology