TY - JOUR
T1 - The course of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia Part II: relationships among behavioural sub-syndromes and the influence of clinical variables.
AU - Aalten, P.
AU - de Vugt, M.E.
AU - Jaspers, N.
AU - Jolles, J.
AU - Verhey, F.R.J.
PY - 2005/1/1
Y1 - 2005/1/1
N2 - Background Although several studies have mentioned associations between neuropsychiatric symptoms, there have been no prospective studies determining interrelations among behavioural sub-syndromes. Objectives To investigate the influence of several clinical variables on the course of neuropsychiatric symptoms, and to determine interrelationships between the behavioural sub-syndromes. Methods One hundred and ninety-nine patients with dementia were assessed every six months for two-years, using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) to evaluate neuropsychiatric symptoms. Results Age, sex, and socioecononuc status were not associated with a specific neuropsychiatric symptom. Greater cognitive impairment was related to more severe psychosis, and dementia stage influenced the course of total NPI problems. There were strong interrelations among most behavioural sub-syndromes. The sub-syndrome hyperactivity was of influence on the development of psychosis, but not vice versa. Neither was the sub-syndrome mood/apathy of influence on the course of psychosis. Conclusions While different neuropsychiatric symptoms have their own specific correlates, there is a strong interrelationship between behavioural sub-syndromes. The data have implications for clinicians and the nosology of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia.
AB - Background Although several studies have mentioned associations between neuropsychiatric symptoms, there have been no prospective studies determining interrelations among behavioural sub-syndromes. Objectives To investigate the influence of several clinical variables on the course of neuropsychiatric symptoms, and to determine interrelationships between the behavioural sub-syndromes. Methods One hundred and ninety-nine patients with dementia were assessed every six months for two-years, using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) to evaluate neuropsychiatric symptoms. Results Age, sex, and socioecononuc status were not associated with a specific neuropsychiatric symptom. Greater cognitive impairment was related to more severe psychosis, and dementia stage influenced the course of total NPI problems. There were strong interrelations among most behavioural sub-syndromes. The sub-syndrome hyperactivity was of influence on the development of psychosis, but not vice versa. Neither was the sub-syndrome mood/apathy of influence on the course of psychosis. Conclusions While different neuropsychiatric symptoms have their own specific correlates, there is a strong interrelationship between behavioural sub-syndromes. The data have implications for clinicians and the nosology of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia.
U2 - 10.1002/gps.1317
DO - 10.1002/gps.1317
M3 - Article
C2 - 15920706
SN - 0885-6230
VL - 20
SP - 531
EP - 536
JO - International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
JF - International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
ER -