Impact of psychosis on quality of life and well‐being in dementia

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundThis study aimed to: 1) Examine the impact of psychotic symptoms on the quality of life, wellbeing and satisfaction of life in people with dementia(PwD) living in the community, and 2) determine whether other symptoms known to affect quality of life in PwD would confound any effect detected.MethodThe Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire was completed by informant interview. Mean differences between the absence and presence of each psychotic symptom (delusions, auditory hallucinations) were then compared for each of three validated measures of living well and quality of life: Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s scale, World Health Organization‐Five Well‐being Index and Satisfaction with Life Scale. Analysis of co‐variance was used to determine the confounding contributions of cognition via Mini‐Mental State Examination, depression via Geriatric Depression Scale‐10, carer stress via Relative Stress Scale and antipsychotic usage.ResultPresence of delusions was not associated with quality of life, wellbeing or satisfaction with life. Presence of auditory hallucinations was associated with lower scores for QoL [p<0.001, η2=0.013], wellbeing [p<0.001, η2=0.016] and satisfaction with life [p<0.001, η2=0.010]. After controlling for confounding factors, the relationship between auditory hallucinations and Qol [p=0.003, pη2= 0.011] and wellbeing p <0.001, pη2= 0.018] remained significant, but there was no significant association with satisfaction with life.ConclusionPresence of auditory hallucinations but not delusions is associated with lower quality of life and wellbeing in people with dementia living in the community.