Changes in activity patterns after the oral administration of brotizolam in institutionalized elderly patients with dementia.
BACKGROUND
Little is known about the side effects of sedative-hypnotic agents in elderly dementia patients with sleep disorders. The present study describes activity pattern changes after a single dose of brotizolam in elderly patients with dementia.


METHODS
We conducted retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data from a case series at Asakayama Hospital (Osaka, Japan) between September 2008 and September 2009. Around-the-clock movements of dementia patients who were administered a single dose of brotizolam were recorded by the integrated circuit tag monitoring system during a 4-week baseline and 7-day peri-administration period. Diurnal and nocturnal activity levels and the onset times of the least-active and most-active phases were then measured.


RESULTS
Seven patients (four men, three women; age range 59-85 years) were analyzed. All seven patients had disturbed activity patterns during the peri-administration period. Compared with the pre-administration period, the incidence of reversed rest-activity pattern increased significantly in the post-administration period, as measured by the distance moved per hour (P < 0.000). Patients with advanced stages of dementia had prolonged and delayed activity responses.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings showed changes in activity levels and reversed active/resting phases after a single dose of brotizolam in elderly patients with dementia. Use of brotizolam in elderly patients with dementia, especially in advanced stages, calls for closer attention and longer observation periods.
Department of Nursing, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
Xiao Yan
XY
Liao
Miyae
M
Yamakawa
Shunji
S
Suto
Kazue
K
Shigenobu
Kiyoko
K
Makimoto
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001381:Azepines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002940:Circadian Rhythm / Q000187:drug effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007326:Institutionalization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000187:drug effects*; D011595:Psychomotor Agitation / Q000175:diagnosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013009:Somnambulism / Q000139:chemically induced
D001381:Azepines; D006993:Hypnotics and Sedatives; C020960:brotizolam