[Characterisation and prevalence of the psychological and behavioural symptoms in patients with dementia].
OBJECTIVE
To assess the prevalence of behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPS's) in patients with dementia in Spain and their dementia-specific characteristics.


METHODS
A cross-sectional and retrospective study of 1025 patients from 52 specialized dementia care units using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Patients with a probable diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease and dementia (PDD) were selected for BPS's characterisation.


RESULTS
The global prevalence of BPS's was 66.7% (684 patients; 95% CI = 63.8-69.6%). BPS's were under-diagnosed in one third of cases. A total of 668 patients with NPI of 4 or superior and a diagnosis of AD (n = 380; 56.8%), DLB (n = 156; 23.3%) and PDD (n = 132; 19.7%) had a NPI mean of 21.1 (SD = 14.7), 25.6 (SD = 13.9) and 21.8 (SD = 14.2), respectively. Apathy, depression and anxiety were the most common BPS's. Delusions and hallucinations were significantly more prevalent in DLB. Dementia severity was correlated with the global NPI value and with all the sub-items, but anxiety and euphoria. The presence of agitation, euphoria or lability was associated with a deficient therapeutic fulfillment.


CONCLUSIONS
A high prevalence of non-diagnosed BPS's was observed in the studied population. This has serious negative consequences for the quality of life of patients and their social environment. Therefore we propose an active search and subsequent correct treatment of BPS's in all patients with dementia.
López-Pousa
S
S
Unitat de Valoracío de la Memòria, i les Demècies, Hospital Santa Caterina, Salt, Girona, Espana. uvamid@ias.scs.es
Vilalta-Franch
J
J
Garre-Olmo
J
J
Pons
S
S
Cucurella
M G
MG
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology; D000978:Antiparkinson Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D020961:Lewy Body Disease / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index
D000978:Antiparkinson Agents; D018697:Nootropic Agents