title: Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, cognitive impairment and caregiver burden in patients with dementia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aims to determine the relationships between behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), cognitive impairment and burden of care of patients with dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional, non-randomised study of 65 elderly patients with dementia and their caregivers was conducted over a 3-month period in January 2007 at the memory clinics of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre and Hospital Kuala Lumpur. Patients' cognitive functions were assessed with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Caregivers were interviewed to determine the severity of BPSD and caregiver burden (CB) using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) Questionnaire and Zarit Burden Interview (BI) respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Cognitive impairment did not contribute significantly to CB. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that high BPSD scores contributed 0.27 more in BI score, female patients contributed 0.37 less in BI score and caregivers with higher educational level contribute 0.5 more in BI score.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients' BPSD and male gender, but not cognitive impairment, were associated with CB. Even though CB was experienced more among caregivers with better education, all caregivers should be screened to ensure their general well-being.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (UKMMC), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Rosdinom
authors: M Z N
authors: MZ
authors: Zarina
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Zanariah
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Marhani
authors: W
authors: W
authors: Suzaily
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D060825:Cognitive Dysfunction / Q000523:psychology*; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: BPSD; Caregiver burden; Cognitive impairment