Assessment of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Dementia, Associated Risk Factors and Clinical Correlates

Abstract

Background: The presence of behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD) are associated with hospitalization, rapid cognitive decline, poor quality of life and higher caregiver burden. Thus, we aim to characterize the BPSD symptoms, its relationship to dementia-related risk factors and their predictive value, if any.
Methodology: In 48 adults (mean age: 70.27 ± 10.08) with major neurocognitive disorder (MNCD) as per diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders, 5th edition and with Hindi mental status examination scores less than or equal to 23 were recruited. Patients were assessed for cognition by hindi Montreal cognitive assessment (HMOCA) and the clinical dementia rating scale (CDR). BPSD and caregiver burden were assessed using the neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI) and burden assessment schedule (BAS). The correlation of NPI scores with socio-demographic variables and clinical variables was assessed. A forward stepwise linear regression (using p-value < .05) was used to identify possible predictors of the NPI scores.
Results: The majority of participants were predominantly males, 25 (52.1%), from urban regions, belonged to middle-class socio-economic status and had severe grading (HMOCA (< 10) of MNCD (25 (52.2%) but had moderate caregiver burden (25 (52.2%)). The most common MNCD type was due to Alzheimer’s disease (22 (45.8%)). Cortical atrophy and ischemic infarcts were the most common neuroimaging abnormalities reported (7 (14.9%)). Mean HMOCA, clinical dementia rating scale (CDR), NPI and BAS scores were 9.13 ± 6.96, 1.50 ± 1.05, 41.79 ± 27.06 and 68.65 ± 22.84, respectively. The most common BPSD domains were sleep disturbance (60.4%) and hallucinations (56.25%). Among the established risk factors, hypertension was present in the highest proportion (21 (43.8%)). As per the stepwise logistic regression model CDR scores, smoking status and HTN were predicted risk factors (R²: 0.452; p = 0.045).
Conclusion: Irritability/agitation is most prevalent BPSD. The severity of MNCD, smoking and hypertension may help in the prediction of BPSD and their role may have to be explored in further studies.