Prescription Patterns of Antidementia and Psychotropic Drugs in People Living With Dementia: Findings From the Clinical Pathway Study of Alzheimer's Disease in China

Prevalence and correlates of probable rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder among middle-aged and older adults in a psychiatric outpatient clinic: A cross-sectional survey

OBJECTIVE

Rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD) is often underdiagnosed among people living with mental disorders. The present study aimed to investigate the prevalence of probable RBD (pRBD) and its associated factors among middle-aged and older adults in a psychiatric outpatient clinic.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey among 2907 people aged 45-80 years who visited the outpatient clinic between March 1 and August 31, 2022 in a psychiatric hospital. A cutoff score ≥5 on the RBD Screening Questionnaire (RBDSQ) was used to indicate the presence of probable RBD (pRBD). Potential factors associated with pRBD were also assessed with a structured checklist. The association between these factors and the presence of pRBD was examined with logistic regression.

RESULTS

The response rate was 64.3 %. Among 1868 respondents [age 58.5 ± 9.6 years, male n = 738 (39.5 %), female n = 1130 (60.5 %)], 15.9 % (95 % CI 14.2-17.6 %) screened positive for pRBD. Occupational exposure to chemicals; positive family history of psychotic disorders; a late start of mental health care; a medical history of autonomic dysfunction; mood problems; and use of antidepressants, hypnotics, and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors were associated with an increased likelihood of having pRBD (P < 0.05 for all).

CONCLUSION

pRBD is common among outpatients with mental disorders, especially in mental disorders due to neurological diseases and physical conditions, mood disorders and anxiety or somatoform disorders. The findings highlight the importance of identifying sleep behavior disorders among people living with mental disorders in clinical practice.

Incremental value of amyloid PET in a tertiary memory clinic setting in China

INTRODUCTION

The objective of this study is to investigate the incremental value of amyloid positron emission tomography (Aβ-PET) in a tertiary memory clinic setting in China.

METHODS

A total of 1073 patients were offered Aβ-PET using 18F-florbetapir. The neurologists determined a suspected etiology (Alzheimer's disease [AD] or non-AD) with a percentage estimate of their confidence and medication prescription both before and after receiving the Aβ-PET results.

RESULTS

After disclosure of the Aβ-PET results, etiological diagnoses changed in 19.3% of patients, and diagnostic confidence increased from 69.3% to 85.6%. Amyloid PET results led to a change of treatment plan in 36.5% of patients. Compared to the late-onset group, the early-onset group had a more frequent change in diagnoses and a higher increase in diagnostic confidence.

DISCUSSION

Aβ-PET has significant impacts on the changes of diagnoses and management in Chinese population. Early-onset cases are more likely to benefit from Aβ-PET than late-onset cases.

HIGHLIGHTS

Amyloid PET contributes to diagnostic changes and its confidence in Chinese patients. Amyloid PET leads to a change of treatment plans in Chinese patients. Early-onset cases are more likely to benefit from amyloid PET than late-onset cases.