Differences in neuropsychiatric symptoms between nursing home residents with young-onset dementia and late-onset dementia. (4th May 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Appelhof, Britt; Bakker, Christian; Van Duinen-van Den IJssel, Jeannette C. L.; Zwijsen, Sandra A.; Smalbrugge, Martin; Verhey, Frans R. J.; de Vugt, Marjolein E.; Zuidema, Sytse U.; Koopmans, Raymond T. C. M.
• Is Part Of: Aging & mental health. Volume 23:Number 5(2019)
• Page Start: 581
• Page End: 586
• Publication Date: 2019-05-04
• Subjects: Young-onset dementia -- nursing home -- neuropsychiatric symptoms -- psychotropic drugs; Trial ID NTR5018; Older people -- Mental health -- Periodicals; Geriatric psychiatry -- Periodicals; Older people -- Psychology -- Periodicals; Aging -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Aged -- psychology -- periodicals; Mental Health -- periodicals; Mental Health Services -- periodicals; Aging -- psychology -- periodicals; Aged, 80 and over -- psychology -- periodicals; 618.97689
• DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2018.1428935
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1360-7863

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Objective: The aims of the current study are (1) to explore the differences in neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) between young-onset dementia (YOD) and late-onset dementia (LOD), and (2) to investigate whether the possible differences can be attributed to differences in dementia subtype, gender, psychotropic drug use (PDU), or dementia severity. Method: Three hundred and eighty-six nursing home (NH) residents with YOD and 350 with LOD were included. Multilevel modeling was used to compare NPS between the groups . Furthermore, dementia subtype, gender, PDU, and dementia severity were added to the crude multilevel models to investigate whether the possible differences in NPS could be attributed to these characteristics. Results: Higher levels of apathy were found in NH residents with YOD. After the characteristics were added to the models, also lower levels of verbally agitated behaviors were found in YOD . Conclusion: We recommend that special attention be paid to interventions targeting apathy in YOD. Although no differences in other NPS were found, the PDU rates were higher in YOD, suggesting that the threshold for the use of PDU in the management of NPS is lower. This underscores the need for appropriate attention to non-pharmacological interventions for the management of NPS in YOD.