Johannes Wancata1, Norbert Benda, Ullrich Meise. 1. Universitätsklinik für Psychiatrie, Klinische Abteilung für Sozialpsychiatrie und Evaluationsforschung, Wien. johannes.wancata@meduniwien.ac.at.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: While the importance of non-cognitive symptoms of dementia is increasingly recognized there exist nearly no studies investigating the frequency of these symptoms among general hospital inpatients and nursing home residents. METHOD: The sample consisted of elderly persons admitted to medical hospital departments (N = 372) and nursing homes (N = 249) in Austria. Study participants were investigated by research psychiatrists using the Clinical Interview Schedule. RESULTS: Of all patients with dementia, in medical departments 28 % and in nursing homes 38 % had marked or severe non-cognitive symptoms. Using multivariate regression procedures non-cognitive symptoms turned out to be significant predictors for nursing home referral, for a prolonged duration of hospital stay, and for impaired self-care. CONCLUSIONS: Non-cognitive symptoms of dementia occur frequently and have several negative consequences. Since such non-cognitive symptoms might be treatable, they should receive sufficient attention from the staff.
OBJECTIVE: While the importance of non-cognitive symptoms of dementia is increasingly recognized there exist nearly no studies investigating the frequency of these symptoms among general hospital inpatients and nursing home residents. METHOD: The sample consisted of elderly persons admitted to medical hospital departments (N = 372) and nursing homes (N = 249) in Austria. Study participants were investigated by research psychiatrists using the Clinical Interview Schedule. RESULTS: Of all patients with dementia, in medical departments 28 % and in nursing homes 38 % had marked or severe non-cognitive symptoms. Using multivariate regression procedures non-cognitive symptoms turned out to be significant predictors for nursing home referral, for a prolonged duration of hospital stay, and for impaired self-care. CONCLUSIONS: Non-cognitive symptoms of dementia occur frequently and have several negative consequences. Since such non-cognitive symptoms might be treatable, they should receive sufficient attention from the staff.
Authors: J B Hessler; M Schäufele; I Hendlmeier; M N Junge; S Leonhardt; J Weber; H Bickel Journal: Epidemiol Psychiatr Sci Date: 2017-01-09 Impact factor: 6.892