Svante Ostling1, Ingmar Skoog. 1. Göteborg University, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience, Psychiatry Section, Sahlgrenska University Hospital/S, SE 413 45 Göteborg, Sweden. svante.ostling@neuro.gu.se
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Psychotic symptoms are reported to be uncommon in the elderly, and may be underrated in traditional epidemiological studies. METHODS: Psychotic symptoms, physical disorders, disability in daily life, and sensory impairments were assessed using results of psychiatric and physical examinations, key-informant interviews, and medical record reviews in a representative sample of nondemented individuals aged 85 years living in the community or in institutions in Göteborg, Sweden (n = 347). The sample was observed for 3 years regarding psychotic symptoms, mortality, and incident dementia. RESULTS: The prevalence of any psychotic symptom was 10.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.1%-13.7%); hallucinations, 6.9% (95% CI, 4.5%-10.1%); and delusions, 5.5% (95% CI, 3.3%-8.4%). The prevalence of paranoid ideation was 6.9% (95% CI, 4.5%-10.1%). Stepwise logistic regression analyses showed that hallucinations were associated with major depressive syndrome (odds ratio [OR], 3.9; 95% CI, 1.3-11.9), disability in daily life (OR, 5.2; 95% CI, 1.8-14.9), and visual deficits (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.0-11.1). Delusions were associated with disability in daily life (OR, 4.9; 95% CI, 1.8-13.3). Paranoid ideation was associated with visual deficits (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.2-10.5) and myocardial infarction (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.7-12.6). Hallucinations (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.4-6.8), delusions (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2-6.9), and paranoid ideation (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.2-6.2) were each related to increased incidence of dementia from 85 to 88 years of age. Hallucinations and paranoid ideation were associated with increased 3-year mortality in women but not in men. CONCLUSIONS: We found a higher prevalence of psychotic symptoms and paranoid ideation in the elderly than previously reported, and these symptoms were associated with a poor prognosis.
BACKGROUND:Psychotic symptoms are reported to be uncommon in the elderly, and may be underrated in traditional epidemiological studies. METHODS:Psychotic symptoms, physical disorders, disability in daily life, and sensory impairments were assessed using results of psychiatric and physical examinations, key-informant interviews, and medical record reviews in a representative sample of nondemented individuals aged 85 years living in the community or in institutions in Göteborg, Sweden (n = 347). The sample was observed for 3 years regarding psychotic symptoms, mortality, and incident dementia. RESULTS: The prevalence of any psychotic symptom was 10.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.1%-13.7%); hallucinations, 6.9% (95% CI, 4.5%-10.1%); and delusions, 5.5% (95% CI, 3.3%-8.4%). The prevalence of paranoid ideation was 6.9% (95% CI, 4.5%-10.1%). Stepwise logistic regression analyses showed that hallucinations were associated with major depressive syndrome (odds ratio [OR], 3.9; 95% CI, 1.3-11.9), disability in daily life (OR, 5.2; 95% CI, 1.8-14.9), and visual deficits (OR, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.0-11.1). Delusions were associated with disability in daily life (OR, 4.9; 95% CI, 1.8-13.3). Paranoid ideation was associated with visual deficits (OR, 3.6; 95% CI, 1.2-10.5) and myocardial infarction (OR, 4.6; 95% CI, 1.7-12.6). Hallucinations (OR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.4-6.8), delusions (OR, 2.9; 95% CI, 1.2-6.9), and paranoid ideation (OR, 2.7; 95% CI, 1.2-6.2) were each related to increased incidence of dementia from 85 to 88 years of age. Hallucinations and paranoid ideation were associated with increased 3-year mortality in women but not in men. CONCLUSIONS: We found a higher prevalence of psychotic symptoms and paranoid ideation in the elderly than previously reported, and these symptoms were associated with a poor prognosis.
Authors: Javier Olivera; Sergio Benabarre; Teófilo Lorente; Mariano Rodriguez; Alfonso Barros; Carmen Quintana; Virtudes Pelegrina; Carmen Aldea Journal: Ment Health Fam Med Date: 2011-03
Authors: Arjan W Braam; Philippe Delespaul; Aartjan T F Beekman; Dorly J H Deeg; Karine Pérès; Michael Dewey; Sirkka-Liisa Kivelä; Brian A Lawlor; Hallgrímur Magnússon; Ingeborg Meller; Martin J Prince; Friedel M Reischies; Marc Roelands; Pedro Saz; Robert A Schoevers; Ingmar Skoog; Cesare Turrina; Ann Versporten; John R M Copeland Journal: Eur J Ageing Date: 2004-11-11