Symptoms of mental health and psychotropic drug use among old people in geriatric care, changes between 1982 and 2000

Potentially inappropriate medications in relation to length of nursing home stay among older adults

Background

To investigate the use of potentially inappropriate medications and their relation to the length of nursing home stay among older adults.

Methods

Questionnaire surveys using the Multi-Dimensional Dementia Assessment scale were sent out to all nursing homes in Västerbotten county in northern Sweden in 2007 and 2013. In total, 3186 adults (1881 from 2007 and 1305 from 2013) ≥65 years old were included and 71.8% of those had cognitive impairment. Potentially inappropriate medications were identified using drug-specific quality indicators according to Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare.

Results

Potentially inappropriate medications were used by 48.0% of the 2007 study sample and by 28.4% of the 2013 study sample. The prevalence of glibenclamide use 2007 and antipsychotic drug use 2013 increased linearly (β = 0.534E^− 3, 95% CI: 0.040E^− 3-0.103E^− 2, p = 0.034 and β = 0.155E^− 2, 95% CI: 0.229E^− 3-0.288E^− 2, p = 0.022, respectively) with the length of nursing home stay. No significant association was found between the prevalence of propiomazine, codeine, long-acting benzodiazepines, anticholinergics, NSAIDs, tramadol or the total use of potentially inappropriate medications and the length of stay in nursing homes in 2007 or 2013. Antipsychotics were the most commonly prescribed of the drug classes investigated and used by 22.6% of the residents 2007 and by 16.0% of the residents 2013.

Conclusions

These results indicate that treatment with potentially inappropriate medications is common among older adults living in nursing homes, but it seems to be related to the length of nursing home stay only to a smaller extent. Drug treatment should regularly be reviewed and followed-up among nursing home residents regardless of their length of nursing home stay, in order to prevent unnecessary adverse events.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-021-02639-3.

Experiencing improved assessment and control of pain in end-of-life care when using the Abbey Pain Scale systematically

Aim

To describe staff's reflections on aspects influencing pain assessment at end-of-life (EoL) care in nursing homes before and after the implementation of the Abbey Pain Scale (APS).

Background

People with cognitive impairment in the EoL care often suffer from underdiagnosed and undertreated pain due to the lack of knowledge and guidelines for systematic pain assessment.

Methods

Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted and analysed using qualitative content analysis.

Results

The staff described their experiences before the implementation of APS as striving to achieve control of pain by trusting in themselves and the team, while the experiences after the implementation of APS were described as improving symptom control with remaining weak confidence in the team.

Conclusions

Implementation of APS was experienced as improving systematic pain assessment. Efforts to establish clear routines and improve confidence in the care team would be prioritized to optimize pain assessment and pain relief in EoL care.

Gottfries' Cognitive Scale for Staff Proxy Rating of Cognitive Function Among Nursing Home Residents

BACKGROUND

For research purposes, there is a need for tools to assess an individual's level of cognitive function. For survey-based investigations in nursing home contexts, proxy ratings allow the assessment also of individuals with severe cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to describe the feasibility and psychometric properties of Gottfries' cognitive scale when used in a nursing home context for proxy rating of cognitive function.

METHOD

The psychometric properties of Gottfries' cognitive scale were investigated in a sample of 8,492 nursing home residents in Västerbotten County, Sweden, using item response theory and classic scale theory-based approaches.

RESULTS

Cognitive function could be scored in 97.1% of the assessed individuals. The scale had a negligible floor effect, it had items with a large spread in difficulties, it appeared linear, and it distributed the assessed individuals equally over the scale. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha) was 0.967, and an exploratory factor analysis revealed three factors of the scale - interpreted to represent orientation to time, to place, and to person.

CONCLUSION

Gottfries' cognitive scale is a feasible tool for grading cognitive function among nursing home residents using staff proxy ratings. The scale has excellent psychometric properties with a very high internal consistency, a favorable distribution of item difficulties producing an almost rectangular distribution of scores, and a negligible floor effect. The scale thus can be recommended for use in survey-based investigations in nursing home contexts.

Helpful approaches to older people experiencing mental health problems: a critical review of models of mental health care

Despite growing concerns for the mental health of the older generation most studies focus on mental health care for younger people and there is a lack of knowledge about helpful treatment approaches and models of care for older people. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to answer the question what health care approaches are most helpful for older people experiencing mental health problems. Databases from 2000 to July 2017 were searched with focus on outcome studies, experts' opinions and treatment descriptions. Critical interpretive synthesis was used to analyse and interpret the findings. Four main models of care were found: the medical-psychiatric model which mostly focuses on antipsychotic medication for the treatment of symptoms. Psychotherapeutic and social interventions take into consideration the psychosocial perspectives of mental health problems, but little research has been done on their lasting effect. Research indicates that psychotherapy needs to be adapted to the special needs of older people. Few old people have access to psychotherapy which limits its usefulness. Holistic or integrated models of health care have emerged in recent years. These models focus on both physical and psychosocial well-being and have shown promising outcomes. To reduce antipsychotic medication older people need to be given better access to psychotherapy and social interventions. This presupposes training health care professionals in such treatment methods. The holistic models need to be developed and studied further and given high priority in health care policy.

Trends in treatment with antipsychotic medication in relation to national directives, in people with dementia - a review of the Swedish context

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to explore trends in treatment with antipsychotic medication in Swedish dementia care in nursing homes as reported in the most recent empirical studies on the topic, and to relate these trends to directives from the national authorities.

METHODS

The study included two scoping review studies based on searches of electronic databases as well as the Swedish directives in the field.

RESULTS

During the past decade, directives have been developed for antipsychotic medication in Sweden. These directives were generic at first, but have become increasingly specific and restrictive with time. The scoping review showed that treatment with antipsychotic drugs varied between 6% and 38%, and was higher in younger older persons and in those with moderate cognitive impairment and living in nursing homes for people with dementia. A decreasing trend in antipsychotic use has been seen over the last 15 years.

CONCLUSIONS

Directives from the authorities in Sweden may have had an impact on treatment with antipsychotic medication for people with dementia. Treatment with antipsychotic medication has decreased, while treatment with combinations of psychotropic medications is common. National directives may possibly be even more effective, if applied in combination with systematic follow-ups.

Correlates of major medication side effects interfering with daily performance: results from a cross-sectional cohort study of older psychiatric patients

BACKGROUND

Polypharmacy is common among older persons who are also vulnerable to side effects. We aimed to characterize patients who on admission to a geriatric psychiatric hospital had major medication side effects interfering with daily performance.

METHODS

Cross-sectional cohort study of patients consecutively admitted to a geriatric psychiatric hospital from 2006, 06 December to 2008, 24 October. The UKU side effect rating scale was performed, and patients were divided into those with no/minor side effects versus those with major side effects. Blood levels of 56 psychotropic drugs and 27 safety laboratory tests were measured upon admission.

RESULTS

Of 206 patients included in the analysis, 70 (34%) had major side effects related to drug treatment. The most frequent side effects were asthenia (31%), reduced salivation (31%), concentration difficulties (28%), memory impairment (24%), and orthostatic dizziness (18%). The significant characteristics predicting major side effects were female gender (OR = 2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.1-5.5), main diagnosis of affective disorder (OR = 4.3, 95% CI = 1.5-12.3), unreported use of psychotropic medications (OR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.0-4.1), a higher number of reported psychotropic medications (OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.2-2.3), a higher number of reported medications for somatic disorders (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.1-1.5), and a higher score on the Charlson comorbidity index (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.0-1.4) (r 2 = 0.238, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Clinicians should be especially aware of side effects related to drug treatment in geriatric psychiatric female patients with a high use of psychotropic and other medications and somatic comorbidity. Unreported use of psychotropic medications was also related to the risk for side effects, and clinicians should make an effort to ascertain all medications taken by geriatric psychiatric patients.

Prevalence of concomitant use of alcohol and sedative-hypnotic drugs in middle and older aged persons: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the prevalence of concomitant alcohol and sedative-hypnotic use among middle-aged and older persons.

DATA SOURCES

A bibliographic search of English-language literature was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, and PsycINFO (January 1990-August 2012). The reference lists of all included articles were screened for additional relevant articles not identified by any of the bibliographic searches.

STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION

Population-based studies in which the mean age of participants was 40 years or older were included. For a study to be included in the review, alcohol use had to be reported in terms of the quantity or frequency consumed. Data from included articles were extracted using a standardized data extraction tool.

DATA SYNTHESIS

Five population-based studies conducted in North America, 10 in Europe, and 1 in Australia were included in the review. Up to 88% of men and 79% of women who used sedative-hypnotics also consumed alcohol. Up to 28% of those who consumed alcohol were concomitant users of sedative-hypnotics. Alcohol was consumed at higher levels among middle-aged than older persons. Risky drinking (eg, binge drinking, heavy drinking) was more prevalent among middle-aged than older persons. In contrast, sedative-hypnotic use was more prevalent among older persons.

CONCLUSIONS

Our review identified a higher prevalence of alcohol consumption among middle-aged than older persons. However, middle-aged persons may experience harm from alcohol/sedative-hypnotic drug interactions due to risky drinking behavior. Despite lower levels of alcohol consumption, older persons may be more susceptible to addictive central nervous system effects than younger persons because of physiologic changes in psychotropic drug and alcohol metabolism. Clinicians should consider patients' alcohol consumption patterns before prescribing sedative-hypnotic drugs.

Physical restraint use in institutional care of old people in Sweden in 2000 and 2007

BACKGROUND

Physical restraint use is common in institutional care for old people and mainly used to prevent falls, despite the fall-preventive effect of physical restraints being questioned in previous research. The aim of the study was to investigate the use of physical restraints in Sweden in 2000 and 2007.

METHODS

Data were collected from two comparable census surveys conducted in all institutional care units for old people in 2000 (n = 3,669) and 2007 (n = 2,914). Information on residents' characteristics and physical restraint use was collected using the Multi-Dimensional Dementia Assessment Scale (MDDAS).

RESULTS

In 2000 16.0% (95% confidence interval (CI) 14.8%-17.2%) of the residents were restrained compared to 18.2% (95% CI 16.8%-19.6%) in 2007 (p = 0.017). Adjusting for residents' characteristics showed that residents in 2007 were more likely to be physically restrained, relative to the residents in 2000 (odds ratio (OR) 1.031, 95% CI 1.005-1.058, p = 0.017). In 2007 the residents had been restrained longer, and a higher proportion were restrained for unknown reasons.

CONCLUSIONS

Physical restraint use is still common. Moreover, the findings of this study suggest a small increase (OR 1.031) in the prevalence of physical restraint use from 2000 to 2007 adjusted for residents' characteristics.

Psychometric properties of the Norwegian Person-centred Climate Questionnaire from a nursing home context

BACKGROUND

The physical and psychosocial environments in nursing homes influence the residents' everyday life as well as their well-being and thriving. The staff's perceptions of and relationships with the residents are crucially important to quality care. Quality care is described often as person-centred. Few measurement tools exist that focus on person-centred care in nursing homes.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version of the Person-centred Climate Questionnaire-Staff version (PCQ-S).

DESIGN

This study had a cross-sectional survey design.

PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS

Two hundred and nine healthcare and support staff in five nursing homes in the eastern part of Norway.

METHODS

The Swedish PCQ-S was translated into Norwegian with forward and backward translation. The relevance of the items included in the questionnaire was assessed by an expert panel of 10 nursing home care staff, because the questionnaire has not been used in this context previously. A psychometric evaluation using statistical estimates of validity and reliability was performed. The discriminatory capacity of the questionnaire was also tested.

RESULTS

The content validity index was satisfactory (0.78). The PCQ-S showed high internal consistency reliability in that Cronbach's α was satisfactory for the total scale (0.92) and the three subscales (0.81, 0.89 and 0.87). The test-retest reliability was also satisfactory as evident from a Spearman's correlation coefficient of 0.76 (p < 0.01) between the total PCQ scores at test and retest. The Norwegian version retained the original factor structure of the Swedish version.

CONCLUSION

As the psychometric evaluation showed satisfactory validity and reliability scores, this study supports the Norwegian version of the PCQ-S when applied to a sample of nursing home staff.

Comparison of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and psychotropic drug treatments among old people in geriatric care in 2000 and 2007

BACKGROUND

Behavioral and psychological symptoms, such as verbal or physical aggression, aberrant motor behaviors, psychotic symptoms, anxiety, depressive symptoms and apathy are common among people with dementia. The aim of the present study was to compare the one-week prevalence of behavioral and psychological symptoms and psychotropic drug treatment among people with cognitive impairment living in institutional care, in two large, comparable samples from 2000 and 2007.

METHODS

A comparison was made between two cross-sectional samples, collected in 2000 and 2007, comprising 4054 participants with cognitive impairment living in geriatric care units in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden. The Multi-Dimensional Dementia Assessment Scale (MDDAS) was used to assess cognitive impairment and behavioral and psychological symptoms. The use of psychotropic drugs was recorded.

RESULTS

Between 2000 and 2007, 15 out of 39 behavioral or psychological symptoms had become less common and no symptoms had become more common, after controlling for demographic changes. Four out of six behaviors within the cluster of aggressive behaviors had declined in prevalence. Patients prescribed anti-dementia drugs increased from 5.1% to 18.0% and antidepressant drug use increased from 43.2% to 49.1%, while anxiolytic, hypnotic, sedative and antipsychotic drug use remained largely unchanged.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of many behavioral symptoms had declined from 2000 to 2007, and among these changes, the decline in aggressive behaviors probably has the greatest clinical impact.

Physically violent behaviour in dementia care: Characteristics of residents and management of violent situations

OBJECTIVE

Physically violent behaviour (PVB) is common among residents with dementia and often complicates nursing care. This study aims to explore types of caring situations, resident characteristics related to PVB and professional caregivers' management of PVB.

METHODS

The study included 40 group homes for 309 residents with dementia. Data was gathered by means of structured interviews, the Multi-Dimensional Dementia Assessment Scale and the Geriatric Rating Scale.

RESULTS

Ninety-eight of the residents (31.7%) were assessed as showing PVB during the preceding week. Three factors were independently associated with PVB: male gender, antipsychotic treatment and decline in orientation. Violent residents were more likely to have impaired speech, difficulties understanding verbal communication and prescribed analgesics and antipsychotics than were non-violent residents. PVB occurred mainly in intimate helping situations and was managed by symptom-oriented approaches, such as distraction, medication and isolation. The working team also held frequent discussions about the residents with PVB.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that PVB is frequently displayed among residents in group homes for persons with dementia and the caregivers mainly manage PVB in a symptom-oriented way. To enhance the quality of care for patients with dementia, there is a need for interventions that aim to understand and manage the residents' physical violent behaviour.

Antipsychotic prescribing to older people living in care homes and the community in England and Wales

OBJECTIVE

Excessive use of antipsychotic medication by older people is an international concern, but there is limited comparative information on their use in different residential settings. This paper describes and compares antipsychotic prescribing to older people in care homes and the community in England and Wales.

METHOD

Analysis of a primary care database (THIN) with 403 259 community and 10 387 care home residents aged 65-104 years in 2008-9.

RESULTS

3677 (0.9%) patients in the community and 2173 (20.9%) in care homes (20.5% in residential homes, 21.7% in nursing homes) received an antipsychotic medication prescription in the last 90 days. Most patients had received prescriptions for more than three months and 60% of prescriptions were for atypical antipsychotics. In patients without severe mental illness, 2367 (0.6%) patients in the community and 1765 (18.2%) in care homes received antipsychotic medication; such prescribing was common for patients with recorded dementia (30.2% in care home, 10.1% in the community). In care homes, younger age and living in the North of England predicted prescribing, but care home type did not. In the community, female gender, increasing age, living in a deprived area and the North predicted prescribing.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite safety concerns, antipsychotic prescribing is markedly higher in care homes than in the community, and strongly associated with dementia in both settings. In England and Wales, we estimate that 54 000 older care home patients and 50 000 community patients receive antipsychotic medication without a diagnosis of severe mental illness with important implications for health and social services.

Changes to psychotropic medications in the six months after admission to nursing homes in Melbourne, Australia

BACKGROUND

Nursing home residents are often prescribed large numbers of psychotropic medications. Previous studies suggest that antipsychotic medications are often unnecessary and can be withdrawn without ill effects. Depression, in contrast, is believed to be under-recognized and under-treated.

METHOD

A six-month audit was carried out of the antipsychotic, antidepressant, anxiolytic and hypnotic medications prescribed to 166 newly admitted residents of a convenience sample of seven nursing homes in Melbourne, Australia.

RESULTS

Over the six-month period, antidepressants were started in 6% of all cases and stopped in 2% of treated cases. Antipsychotics were added in 5% of all cases and stopped in 15% of treated cases. Residents were switched from one antidepressant to another in 5% of treated cases and from one antipsychotic to another in 4%. Benzodiazepine use was relatively modest.

CONCLUSIONS

Judging from epidemiological data, treatment revisions were almost certainly insufficient to address residents' mental health needs. We discuss ways of harnessing existing nursing and pharmacy resources to ensure better care for aged residents.

One-week prevalence of depressive symptoms and psychotropic drug treatments among old people with different levels of cognitive impairment living in institutional care: changes between 1982 and 2000

BACKGROUND

Dementia and depression are common in advanced age, and often co-exist. There are indications of a decreased prevalence of depressive symptoms among old people in recent years, supposedly because of the manifold increase in antidepressant treatment. Whether the prevalence of depressive symptoms has decreased among people in different stages of dementia disorders has not yet been investigated.

METHODS

A comparison was undertaken of two cross-sectional studies, conducted in 1982 and 2000, comprising 6864 participants living in geriatric care units in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Multi-Dimensional Dementia Assessment Scale (MDDAS), and the cognitive score was measured with Gottfries' cognitive scale. Drug data were obtained from prescription records.

RESULTS

There was a significant decrease in depressive symptom score between 1982 and 2000 in all cognitive function groups except for the group with moderate cognitive impairment. Antidepressant drug use increased in all cognitive function groups.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of depressive symptoms decreased between 1982 and 2000, in all levels of cognitive impairment except moderate cognitive impairment. This might possibly be explained by the depressive symptoms having different etiologies in different stages of a dementia disorder, which in turn might not be equally susceptible to antidepressant treatment.

Using Massage to Reduce Use of Sedative-Hypnotic Drugs With Older Adults

Despite known adverse effects, sedative-hypnotic drugs (SHDs) are widely used in institutional settings serving the elderly. Using a 2 (Intervention, Control) × 3 (Baseline, Intervention, Withdrawal) mixed design with random assignment to the intervention ( n = 15) or control ( n = 13) group, the authors sought to determine if a nonpharmacological sleep intervention (massage at bedtime) could reduce “as-needed” SHD (PRN-SHD) usage. Each phase of this pilot lasted 7 days and PRN-SHD usage was monitored via chart review. Results, indicating a 13% greater reduction in requests for PRN-SHD for the intervention group when it received massage, approached statistical significance for the quadratic planned comparisons ( p = .17) despite limited power (.28) for the observed effect size of .07. While preliminary, results suggest that massage at bedtime may reduce PRN-SHD usage with older adults. Randomized controlled studies with larger samples are needed.

The hip fracture incidence curve is shifting to the right

BACKGROUND

The number of hip fractures has doubled in the last 30-40 years in many countries. Age-adjusted incidence has been reported to be decreasing in Europe and North America, but is there a decreasing trend in all age groups?

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This population-based study included all hip-fracture patients over 50 years of age (a total of 2,919 individuals, 31% of whom were men) admitted to Umeå University Hospital, Sweden, from 1993 through 2005.

RESULTS

The incidence of hip fracture declined between the periods 1993-1996 and 2001-2005: from 706 to 625 hip fractures per 10(5) women and from 390 to 317 hip fractures per 10(5) men. However, there was a 114% increase in the number of fractures in women aged 90 or older (12 and 25 hip fractures/year, respectively, in the two time periods). For the period 2001-05, women > or = 90 years of age accounted for almost the same numbers of hip fractures as women aged 75-79 (27 fractures/year). The rate increased during this period, from 2,700 per 10(5) women to 3,900 per 10(5) women > 90 years. In men there were declining trends for both relative and absolute numbers.

INTERPRETATION

Although age-adjusted incidence declined in the population > 50 years of age, absolute fracture rate and incidence increased in the very old. Women over 90 now have the same absolute number of hip fractures every year as women aged 75-79 years. There was a right-shift in hip fracture distribution towards the oldest old, probably due to an increased number of octo/nonagenarians, a new population of particularly frail old people that hardly existed earlier. Better health among septuagenarians may also have delayed the age at which fractures occurred. This changing pattern will strain orthopedic and geriatric resources even more.

Changes between 1982 and 2000 in the prevalence of behavioral symptoms and psychotropic drug treatment among old people with cognitive impairment in geriatric care

BACKGROUND

People with a dementia disorder often live in institutional care facilities, particularly when the dementia disorder becomes severe or complicated by various behavioral disturbances. The aim of the present study was to analyze and compare the one-week prevalence of various behavioral symptoms and psychotropic drug treatment among people with cognitive impairment living in institutional care, in two large, comparable samples from 1982 and 2000.

METHODS

A comparison was made between two cross-sectional samples, collected in 1982 and 2000 respectively, comprising 3404 participants with cognitive impairment living in geriatric care units in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden. Behavioral symptoms were measured using the Multi-Dimensional Dementia Assessment Scale (MDDAS) and cognition was measured using Gottfries' cognitive scale.

RESULTS

Eight out of 25 behavioral symptoms had become less common, and six more common, after controlling for demographic changes. Regressive behavior, resistance to care and passiveness became less common, while certain aberrant motor behaviors showed an increased prevalence. Antidepressant drug use increased from 6.8% to 43.2%, antipsychotic drug use decreased from 38.0% to 26.2% and anxiolytics, hypnotic and sedative drug use increased from 12.7% to 38.5%.

CONCLUSION

One-week prevalence of regressive symptoms and resistance to care had decreased and there were signs of a generally increased activity level among old people with cognitive impairment living in institutional geriatric care in 2000 compared to 1982. These changes may be an effect of the extensive changes in pharmacological treatments and in the organization of institutional geriatric care.

The use of benzodiazpines and related drugs amongst older people in Sweden: associated factors and concomitant use of other psychotropics

OBJECTIVE

To determine the factors associated with use of benzodiazepines and benzodiazepine related drugs (BZDs/BZDRDs) in a nationwide population of older people.

METHODS

We analyzed data on age, sex, type of residential area (urban/rural), and dispensed drugs for people aged > or = 75 years registered in the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register from October to December 2005 (n = 731,105; corresponds to 91% of the domain population). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used for analyzing whether age, sex, type of residential area, number of other drugs, and concomitant psychotropic drug use was associated with use of BZDs/BZDRDs.

RESULTS

> or =1 BZDs/BZDRDs and > or =2 BZDs/BZDRDs were used by 25% and 5% of the study population, respectively. The most commonly used BZDs/BZDRDs were zopiclone, zolpidem, oxazepam, flunitrazepam, and diazepam. The probability of use BZDs/BZDRDs increased with age, female gender, living in an urban area, use of many other drugs, and concomitant use of other psychotropics, particularly antidepressants. In the comparisons of different BZDs/BZDRDs (n = 179,632), the medium-acting BZDs were associated with higher age, female gender, and use of other psychotropics, whereas BZDRDs showed the opposite pattern. Also, the two BZDRDs zopiclone and zolpidem showed different patterns regarding age, sex, and use of other drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

One in four of the elderly used one or more BZD/BZDRD, which should be prescribed cautiously and with the recognition of the potentially negative effects. There were differences in patterns of use for different BZDs/BZDRDs, even within the same drug class. Hence, large study populations are needed for future research of individual BZDs/BZDRDs.

Benzodiazepine use in the elderly: an indicator for inappropriately treated geriatric depression?

OBJECTIVE

To measure the prevalence of benzodiazepine (BZD) use and to explore associated demographic and clinical variables of BZD use within a cohort of 75-year- old inhabitants of an urban district of Vienna.

METHODS

This is a prospective, interdisciplinary cohort study on aging. Our investigation is based on the first consecutive 500 subjects that completed the study protocol. Demographic and clinical characteristics, benzodiazepine and antidepressant use were documented using a standardized questionnaire. Affective status was assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAMD), the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and the Spielberger State-and Trait Anxiety Inventory subscales (STAI).

RESULTS

Prevalence of BZD use was 13.8%. Compared to non-users, BZD users had significantly higher mean scores at the HAMD (p = 0.001), the GDS (p = 0.026), and the Spielberger State-and Trait Anxiety Inventory subscales (p = 0.003; p = 0.001). Depression was found in 12.0% (HAMD) and 17.8% when using a self-rating instrument (GDS). Less than one-third of depressed subjects were receiving antidepressants. Statistically equal numbers were using benzodiazepines.

CONCLUSIONS

Inappropriate prescription of BZD is frequent in old age, probably indicating untreated depression in many cases. The implications of maltreated geriatric depression and the risks associated with benzodiazepine use highlight the medical and socioeconomic consequences of inappropriate BZD prescription.

Sex differences in the prevalence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia

BACKGROUND

When a person has dementia, non-cognitive behaviors and symptoms might constitute a greater problem than the cognitive decline itself. Male or female sex might be a predisposing factor for certain types of behavior disturbances and symptoms. The aim of the present analysis was to explore the correlation between sex and the prevalence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.

METHOD

A total of 3395 people with cognitive impairment (1056 men and 2339 women) were selected from two large cross-sectional surveys of those in geriatric care settings, conducted in 1982 and 2000 in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden. Symptoms were assessed using the Multi-Dimensional Dementia Assessment Scale (MDDAS), and prevalence was compared using multivariate logistic regression. Drug data were obtained from prescription records.

RESULTS

For 17 out of 39 behaviors and symptoms, the prevalence differed significantly between men and women. Men more often exhibited aggressive behavior and regressive behaviors, and women more often exhibited depressive symptoms. There were no sex differences for passiveness and hallucinations. The prevalence of antipsychotic drug use was higher among men (35.5% compared to 28.9%, p < 0.001) and antidepressant drug use higher among women (30.1% compared to 25.6%, p = 0.006). The prevalence of use of anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives did not differ.

CONCLUSION

There are some differences in the prevalence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia between men and women. These different symptom profiles might possibly explain some of the differences found in the pharmacological treatment of men and women with a dementia disorder.

Female caregivers' experiences of exposure to violence in nursing homes

Although earlier studies have examined caregivers' experiences of exposure to violence, few have investigated female caregivers working in nursing homes with a specific focus on experiences throughout the entire scenario of a violent situation. This study illuminates female caregivers' experiences of being exposed to violence in nursing homes. Twenty caregivers working in three nursing homes located in northern Sweden were asked to narrate about a situation in which they had been exposed to violence. Their narratives were analysed by using qualitative content analysis. We found that the caregivers had preconceived ideas about violent behaviour, that they experienced a loss of control over the situation, and that they then strove to regain control. Experiences such as these may influence caregivers' interactions with residents who display violent behaviour. As a result of violent interactions, caregivers may distance themselves from the residents, an attitude that may decrease the quality of care. There is a risk that violence in nursing homes is accepted and normalized as a part of the job and hence persists.

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in relation to level of cognitive impairment

BACKGROUND

Many people with dementia exhibit some behavioral or psychological symptoms, e.g. aggressive or aberrant motor behavior, depression or hallucinations, at some time during the course of the disorder. The aim of the present study was to describe the probability of the occurrence of these symptoms of dementia in relation to the level of cognitive impairment.

METHODS

3404 people with cognitive impairment were selected from two large cross-sectional surveys of those in geriatric care settings, conducted in 1982 and 2000 in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden. Symptoms were assessed using the Multi-Dimensional Dementia Assessment Scale (MDDAS), subsumed with a rotated factor analysis, and investigated in relation to level of cognitive impairment, measured using the Gottfries cognitive scale.

RESULTS

The passiveness factor had an almost linear correlation to the level of cognitive impairment (r2 = 0.237). Non-linear correlations, with highest prevalences in middle-stage cognitive impairment, were found for aggressive behavior (r2 = 0.057), wandering behavior (r2 = 0.065), restless behavior (r2 = 0.143), verbally disruptive/attention-seeking behavior (r2 = 0.099), regressive/inappropriate behavior (r2 = 0.058), hallucinatory symptoms (r2 = 0.021) and depressive symptoms (r2 = 0.029).

CONCLUSION

The relations between the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia and level of cognitive impairment were non-linear, with higher prevalence rates in the middle stages of dementia, apart from the symptom of passiveness, which increased almost linearly with the severity of cognitive impairment.