Martocchia A, Scarienzi M, Prunas P, Bentivegna E, Cacciafesta M, Martelletti P, Sesti G. The effects of the glycaemic control on the severity of the delirium in the advanced phase of Alzheimer's disease.
F1000Res 2020;
9:1470. [PMID:
34316365 PMCID:
PMC8278245 DOI:
10.12688/f1000research.26022.2]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and delirium are common in advanced phases of Alzheimer's disease (AD).
METHODS
Thirty-eight moderate-severe AD patients were enrolled (n=16 affected by type 2 diabetes). Each patient received a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) (including evaluation of BPSD and frailty), and a complete metabolic evaluation (including the measurement of the glycated hemoglobin, HbA1c).
RESULTS
Both the hyper- and hypo-glycemic extremes of the glycemic spectrum worsened BPSD, but delirium was more susceptible to hypoglycemic events. The severity of delirium was significantly related to cognitive function (r = -0.585, p<0.001) and frailty (r = +0.440, p<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
The measurement of HbA1c was useful for evaluating the risk of delirium in relationship to glycemic control and nutritional status.
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