title: Behavioral and psychological symptoms associated with dementia subtype and severity.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is a growing body of research exploring differences in behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VaD), yet these differences are inconsistent and it is uncertain whether this inconsistency might be due to the confounding effect of differing severities of dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  BPSD, measured with the Behavior Problems Check List (BPCL) and Revised Memory and Behavior Problems Check List (RMBPCL) and CDR-measured severity of dementia were examined using archival data of individuals with AD (N = 377) or VaD (including multi-infarct and other vascular causes; N = 74) presenting to a Sydney memory disorders clinic over a 20-year period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was no significant difference in scores for AD and VaD patients on the BPCL or on the RMBPCL when controlling for sex and severity of dementia. However, severity of BPSD increased with increasing severity of dementia.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BPSD severity is no different in AD and VaD at the time of initial assessment in a memory disorders clinic population of mild to moderate dementia. However, BPSD increases with severity of dementia in this group.
authors.affiliation: Academic Department for Old Age Psychiatry, Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney, Australia. thompsoncl@sesahs.nsw.gov.au
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Brodaty
authors.forename: Julian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Trollor
authors.forename: Perminder
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sachdev
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D003704:Dementia / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology*; D015140:Dementia, Vascular / Q000145:classification / Q000523:psychology; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors