Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Mild Dementia with Lewy Bodies and Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Background/Aims: To compare neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia with Lewy bodies(DLB). Methods: Neuropsychiatric symptoms and caregiver distress were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) in mild DLB (n = 57) and AD (n = 126), and compared across the two groups using non-parametric tests. Results: The DLB patients had a higher NPI totalscore (median 24 vs. 11.5, p < 0.005), more numerous symptoms (median 5 vs. 4, p = 0.001) and more clinically significant symptoms (3 vs. 1, p = 0.001). They also had higher item hallucinations (6 vs. 2, p < 0.005) and apathy (7 vs. 5, p = 0.002) subscores. Caregivers scored higher on the NPI total caregiver distress scale (12.5 vs. 6, p = 0.003). Conclusions: In mild dementia, DLB patients have more neuropsychiatric symptoms and more associated caregiver distress compared with AD.

Long-Term Mortality in a Cohort of Home-Dwelling Elderly with Mild Alzheimer's Disease and Lewy Body Dementia

“…On the contrary, those screened for inclusion were consecutive referrals and, as stated, underwent a comprehensive assessment employing established diagnostic criteria [23]. However, as patients with DLB/PDD may be more demanding for both primary care providers and the patients' carers [34], a referral bias cannot be excluded. An alternative explanation could be that this is due to chance variation, related to the moderate size of the sample.…”

Differences in Drug Therapy between Dementia Disorders in the Swedish Dementia Registry: A Nationwide Study of over 7,000 Patients

“…DLB was strongly associated with the use of antipsychotics. This could be attributed to the fact that these patients suffer from psychotic symptoms (mainly visual hallucinations) already early in the disease [44]. However, the high use is worrying given that DLB patients are particularly susceptible to the adverse effects of these drugs [45].…”

Lewy body dementia: the impact on patients and caregivers

“…LBD patients are more likely to exhibit high scores on the NPI for hallucinations, night-time behavior, and apathy. Delusions can revolve around stealing, strangers living in the home, and being in danger, and may get worse as the disease progresses [33]. One particular challenge with delusions is that they are false and ‘fixed’; therefore, the patient truly believes it to be the case and it can be difficult or impossible to convince them otherwise.…”