Neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia may predict caregiver burden: a Sicilian exploratory study

Abstract

Our results revealed that demented patients' behavioural problems are related to the level of caregiver burden and distress. Further investigations are needed to differentiate the present findings among dementia subtypes and to better evaluate the effect of caregivers' personal characteristics on their own burden.

The influence of the individual neuropsychiatric symptoms of people with Alzheimer disease on family caregiver distress—A longitudinal ALSOVA study

“…Previous cross‐sectional studies showed that irritability and agitation were the primary contributors to overall AD caregiver burden . The term agitation is used to refer to substantially environmentally dependent prominent behaviors and acts, often reflecting the patient's internal mental state and including elements of anxiety, fear, misunderstanding, irritability, or impulsivity.…”

“…There is increasing interest in understanding the effects of specific symptoms on FC distress, but the results have remained inconclusive . In previous studies, irritability, aggression/agitation, depressive symptoms, and apathy have all associated with FC distress. Taken together, these studies suggest that mood‐related symptoms are the most distressing for caregivers.…”

Bidirectional relationship between caregiver burden and neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with Alzheimer's disease: A narrative review

“…Patients with AD often present with NPs that often occur as a result of deterioration in mood, thought, perception, and behavior. 36 One or more of NPs can affect approximately the 97% of patients during the course of the disease 37 and pave the way for cognitive and functional worsening, long-term hospitalization, mortality, and decreased quality of life for caregivers and patients. 37 When these negative outcomes are considered, it is clear that prevention or treatment of NPs is very important for both patients with dementia and their caregivers.…”

“…NPs can be identified as different neurobehavioral clusters consisting of 2 or more behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, including "psychosis," which comprises delusions and hallucinations; the "affective" cluster, which includes symptoms as apathy, depression, and anxiety; and the "hyperactivity" cluster composed of agitation, irritability, disinhibition, and aberrant motor behavior. 36,40 All these symptoms can occur from early to last stages of AD. 37,41,42 One study found that as cognitive impairment progressed, physical aggression, wandering, and agitation increased and delusions declined.…”

Neuropsychiatric symptoms in severe dementia: Associations with specific cognitive domains the Cache County Dementia Progression Study

“…Hallucinations and euphoria are somewhat less common, but their occurrence generally remains stable over the course of dementia. burden [8][9][10] as well as nursing home placement. 7 The occurrence of NPS in general has been found to predict degree of caregiver Presented in preliminary form at the Rocky Mountain Psychological Association Convention, (2017), Salt Lake City, UT.…”