Neuropsychiatric symptoms and severity of dementia / Sintomas neuropsiquiátricos e gravidade da demência

ABSTRACT

Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) cause distress, disabilitiy and reduced quality of life for both the patient and their families OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of NPS as a specific stage of dementia status. METHODS: A cross-sectional study in patients attending an outpatient clinic for dementia was performed. We applied the Neuropsychiatric Inventory and Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) scale. Statistical analysis was carried out with SPSS 17 software. RESULTS: The 124 subjects (mean age of 80.4±7.0 years), 88 women (70.9%) had average duration of dementia of 7.1±3.2 years, most common dementias of Alzheimer's disease (35.5%) and mixed (31.5%) and most prevalent NPS of apathy (75%) and irritability (66.9%). Correlation between apathy and a CDR 1 had a PR (prevalence ratio) = 0.289 and p<0.001 while between apathy and CDR 4-5 (PR=8.333, p<0.005). A similar result was found between aberrant motor behavior (AMB) and CDR 1 (PR=0.352, p<0.003) and between AMB and CDR4-5 (PR=2.929, p<0.006). CONCLUSION: Alzheimer's disease and mixed dementia were predominant, while apathy and AMB were detected in association with the progressive stages of dementia.

RESUMO

Sintomas neuropsiquiátricos (SNPs) causam sofrimento, incapacidade e redução da qualidade de vida do paciente e das famílias. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de SNPs específicos conforme a fase do estado demencial. MÉTODOS: Estudo transversal em pacientes atendidos em ambulatório de demências. Aplicou-se Inventário Neuropsiquiátrico e Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR). Realizada análise estatística com o software SPSS 17. RESULTADOS: 124 idosos (idade média de 80,4±7,0 anos), 88 mulheres (70,9%). Tempo médio de demência 7,1±3,2 anos. Demências mais frequentes doença de Alzheimer (35,5%) e mista (31,5%). Sintomas neuropsiquiátricos mais prevalentes apatia (75%) e irritabilidade (66,9%). Correlação entre apatia e CDR 1 tem RP (razão de prevalências) = 0,289 e p<0,001 e entre apatia e CDR 4-5; RP=8,333; p<0,005, o mesmo ocorrendo entre comportamento motor aberrante (CMA) e CDR 1 (RP=0,352; p<0.003) e CMA e CDR4-5 (RP=2,929; p<0,006). CONCLUSÃO: Houve predomínio de demência de Alzheimer e demência mista e se detectou apatia e CMA em associação progressiva com as fases do quadro demencial.