Frequency and Correlates of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in a Group of Iranian Patients with Dementia

Abstract

Background: While psychological and behavioral symptoms are a major challenging aspect of dementia, they have not been considered as an important mental health issue in developing countries. The aim of the current study was to explore the prevalence and possible associated factors of psychiatric symptoms seen in patients with dementia. Methods: In a cross sectional study, 101 patients diagnosed with dementia were selected. Appropriated world-wide instruments, such as the Neuropsychiatry Inventory (NPI), Clinical Dementia Rating scale (CDR), barthel index and Cummulative Illmess Rating Scale (CIRS) were used to detect behavioral disturbance, severity of dementia, disability and burden of medical conditions, separately. In this study, the correlation between Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) and severity of dementia, activity of daily living, organic dysfunction and type of dementia was also evaluated. Results: Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia were frequent in about 70% of the study sample. The most common problematic behaviours were night time behaviours followed by delusion (58%), disinhibition (57%), anxiety (57%), irritability (56%), depression (55%), agitation (55%), and apathy (55%). The least frequent symptom was elation. These behavioral symptoms were significantly correlated with the severity of dementia, greater disability, higher burden of medical conditions, and the level of distress in both patients and their caregivers. Mood symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and elation were not increased with the severity of the dementia. Conclusions: The findings of this study suggested that the three main cluster symptoms were psychosis, behavioral disturbances such as disinhibition, irritability agitation and, mood symptoms including anxiety and depression.