S Ostling1, S P Pálsson, I Skoog. 1. The Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Institute of Clinical Neuroscience and Physiology, Psychiatry Section, Unit of Epidemiology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. svante.ostling@neuro.gu.se
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on the incidence of psychotic symptoms in the elderly. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the incidence of first-onset psychotic symptoms in the elderly and their relation to mortality and later development of dementia. METHOD: A population-sample (n = 392) born 1901-1902 was assessed from age 70-90 with psychiatric examinations, medical record reviews and from age 85, also with key-informant interviews. Individuals developing dementia were excluded. RESULT: The cumulative incidence of first-onset psychotic symptoms was 4.8% (8.0% including key-informant reports in the total sample) and 19.8 % in those who survived to age 85. Sixty-four percent of those with first-onset hallucinations later developed dementia, compared to 30% of those with delusions and 25% of those without psychotic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: One fifth of non-demented elderly who survives up to age 85 develops first-onset psychotic symptoms. Hallucinations predict dementia, but most elderly individuals with first-onset psychotic symptoms do not develop dementia. Copyright 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
BACKGROUND: Limited data are available on the incidence of psychotic symptoms in the elderly. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the incidence of first-onset psychotic symptoms in the elderly and their relation to mortality and later development of dementia. METHOD: A population-sample (n = 392) born 1901-1902 was assessed from age 70-90 with psychiatric examinations, medical record reviews and from age 85, also with key-informant interviews. Individuals developing dementia were excluded. RESULT: The cumulative incidence of first-onset psychotic symptoms was 4.8% (8.0% including key-informant reports in the total sample) and 19.8 % in those who survived to age 85. Sixty-four percent of those with first-onset hallucinations later developed dementia, compared to 30% of those with delusions and 25% of those without psychotic symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: One fifth of non-demented elderly who survives up to age 85 develops first-onset psychotic symptoms. Hallucinations predict dementia, but most elderly individuals with first-onset psychotic symptoms do not develop dementia. Copyright 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.