Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Alzheimer’s Disease: Frequency and Relationship with Duration and Severity of the Disease

Vol. 19, No. 5-6, 2005

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Original Research Article

Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease: Frequency and Relationship with Duration and Severity of the Disease
Maristella Piccininni^a, Antonio Di Carlo^b, Marzia Baldereschi^b, Gaetano Zaccara^a, Domenico Inzitari^c

^aNeurology Unit, Ospedale S.M. Nuova,
^bInstitute of Neurosciences, ILSA Study, Italian National Research Council, and
^cDepartment of Neurological and Psychiatric Sciences, University of Florence, Florence, Italy

Address of Corresponding Author

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2005;19:276-281 (DOI: 10.1159/000084552)

Key Words

Alzheimer's disease
Behavioral and psychological symptoms
Neuropsychiatric Inventory
Depression
Psychosis

Abstract

The occurrence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) is currently recognized as an important aspect of Alzheimer's disease (AD). We evaluated the frequency and severity of BPSD with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory across the various degrees and phases of the disease in 50 consecutive AD outpatients. Apathy, aberrant motor activity, dysphoria and anxiety were the symptoms most frequently reported by the caregivers, ranging in the whole study sample from 46 to 74%. A clear trend towards increasing frequency with the severity of disease was found for delusions, hallucinations and aberrant motor activity. A major effect of the duration of the disease was found in the probability of developing hallucinations and aberrant motor activity. Apart from hallucinations, all BPSD were present starting from a mild degree of dementia. A better understanding of the global spectrum of BPSD in AD is warranted in order to improve the allocation of health resources toward the treatment of dementia.

Author Contacts

Maristella Piccininni, MD
U.O. Neurologia, Ospedale S.M. Nuova
Piazza S.M. Nuova 1
IT-50122 Florence (Italy)
Tel. +39 055 2758894, Fax +39 055 2758291, E-Mail dr.maristella@inwind.it

Article Information

Accepted: October 30, 2004
Published online: March 18, 2005
Number of Print Pages : 6
Number of Figures : 0, Number of Tables : 1, Number of References : 44

Medline Abstract (ID 15775717)

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