Neuropsychiatric symptoms of the elderly with Alzheimer's disease and the family caregivers' distress

Abstract

Objective: to analyze the relationship between the distress of the family caregiver and the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease or mixed dementia.Method: a descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted in the Geriatric and Dementias Clinic of a general tertiary hospital, with 96 elderly people with Alzheimer's disease or mixed dementia and their family caregivers. Questionnaires to characterize the elderly and caregivers, and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory were used. Descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation test were performed. Results: 68.7% of the elderly were women, average age 80.8 years, 56.2% had Alzheimer's disease and 43.7%, mixed dementia. Among caregivers, 90.6% were women, average age 56, 70.8% took care of parents and 64.6% lived with the elderly. There was a strong (r = 0.82) and significant (p <0.01) correlation between the total score on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and the total score on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Distress and strong (r = 0.80) and significant (p <0 01) correlation between the total score on the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Distress and the number of neuropsychiatric symptoms, i.e., the higher the number, frequency and severity of these symptoms in the elderly, the more intense is the caregiver distress. Conclusion: the presence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in the elderly was related to increased distress in caregivers.

A cross-sectional study on behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in elderly and its impact on quality of life in a tertiary care hospital

“…Storti et al recorded a strong and significant correlation between the total NPI-item and NPI-distress scores. 30 While NPI scores in present study had negative correlation with all domains of WHOQOL Bref indicating that higher BPSD were associated with poor quality of life, as also shown by Ryu et al where neuropsychiatric symptoms were associated with attenuated quality of life. 31 Agitation/aggressive behavior were the most common symptom 76% in present study.…”

An intervention to reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms and caregiver burden in dementia: Preliminary results from a randomized trial of the tailored activity program–outpatient version

“…Neuropsychiatric symptoms affect up to 90% of all persons living with dementia over the course of their illness and, if untreated, may worsen cognitive and daily functioning, accelerate long‐term hospitalization, and increase health care costs . For caregivers, the presence of NPS is related to increased distress, depression, poor quality of life, and increased time of caregiving …”

“…distress, depression, poor quality of life, and increased time of caregiving. 2,5,6 Pharmacological interventions are frequently used to manage NPS, however, they can lead to adverse effects, exacerbation of behaviors, or even increase mortality rates. 7,8 For these reasons, some studies have recommended non-pharmacological approaches as the initial first-line treatment, including caregiver supportive interventions.…”

O impacto do comportamento do idoso com doen�a de Alzheimer na vida do cuidador

“…A DA corresponde à forma mais comum de demência da contemporaneidade (3)(4)(5)(6) . A Doença de Alzheimer (DA) é um transtorno neurodegenerativo progressivo e fatal que se manifesta por deterioração cognitiva e da memória, comprometimento progressivo das atividades da vida diária e uma variedade de sintomas neuropsiquiátricos e de alterações comportamentais (7)(8) .…”