The presence and severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms and their association with quality of life among patients with dementia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background Neuropsychiatric symptoms are common manifestations of dementia. The presence and severity of these symptoms differ depending on different personal and contextual factors. Purpose This study aimed to investigate the presence and predictors of neuropsychiatric symptoms and the association between the severity of these symptoms and the quality of life in a sample of patients with dementia in Jordan. Methods In this cross-sectional study, 112 patients with dementia residing in Jordanian nursing homes were recruited using the consecutive sampling method. Results The mean severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms was 9.58. The most prevalent neuropsychiatric symptoms among patients were depression (61.6%), followed by irritability (55.4%), and a feeling of euphoria (54.5%). The regression analysis results indicated that gender, marital status, and dementia severity significantly predicted the neuropsychiatric symptoms severity score and explained 17.70% of the variance. A significant negative correlation between the severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life was found. Conclusion The study's results indicate that our sample reported mild neuropsychiatric symptoms. These symptoms’ high prevalence and persistence negatively impact patients’ quality of life. The study's results can help mental health nurses determine the factors impacting effective treatment strategies to combat these symptoms. Future longitudinal studies are warranted to help explain the importance of early diagnosis and management of these symptoms in preventing dementia progression.