Patient and caregiver perspectives of quality of life in dementia. An investigation of the relationship to behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia.
OBJECTIVE
Behavioural and psychological symptoms have a high prevalence amongst patients with dementia and can be a significant source of distress to both patients and carers. The present study explored the relationships between quality of life and behavioural and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD) from both patient and carer perspectives. Contextual factors surrounding the occurrence of BPSD were explored.


METHODS
Forty-six patients and 116 carers completed questionnaire measures of BPSD and quality of life.


RESULTS
BPSD were negatively associated with both patient and carer ratings of patient quality of life. The symptoms related to lower quality of life differed between patient and carer ratings: depression and irritability were found to predict lower carer ratings of quality of life, whilst delusions and apathy indicated lower patient ratings. Carers were found to be poor at identifying antecedents and consequences of BPSD.


CONCLUSIONS
The presence of BPSD is associated with lower quality of life in dementia. Interventions designed to improve the quality of life for patients should focus on the BPSD specifically associated with the patient's rating of quality of life. Information regarding the role of contextual factors in behaviour management should be made available to carers.
Hurt
Catherine
C
King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Department of Psychology, London, UK. Catherine.hurt@iop.kcl.ac.uk
Bhattacharyya
Sarmishtha
S
Burns
Alistair
A
Camus
Vincent
V
Liperoti
Rossella
R
Marriott
Anna
A
Nobili
Flavio
F
Robert
Philippe
P
Tsolaki
Magda
M
Vellas
Bruno
B
Verhey
Frans
F
Byrne
Eleanor Jane
EJ
D000342:Affective Symptoms / Q000523:psychology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000523:psychology*; D001526:Behavioral Symptoms / Q000523:psychology; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D003702:Delusions / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires