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Li M, Hamedani AG. Association of Visual Impairment With Neuropsychiatric Symptoms of Dementia. J Neuroophthalmol 2025; 45:131-136. [PMID: 39148160 PMCID: PMC11830047 DOI: 10.1097/wno.0000000000002235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/17/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Visual impairment is a risk factor for cognitive impairment and hallucinations in older adults, but associations with other neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) of dementia have not been examined. METHODS We analyzed cross-sectional data from the Aging, Demographics, and Memory Study (ADAMS), a nationally representative sample of the US population aged 70+ years. Vision was measured by self-report and using a near card. Dementia was ascertained through cognitive testing with expert consensus, and NPS were screened using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. We used logistic regression to measure the association between visual impairment and prevalent NPS adjusting for sociodemographic factors and comorbidities. Analyses incorporated sample weights to account for the complex survey design of ADAMS. RESULTS Of 624 participants with dementia, 332 (53%) had self-reported visual impairment and 193 (31%) had best-corrected acuity of 20/40 or worse. In unadjusted models, self-reported visual impairment was significantly associated with hallucinations (OR 2.88; 95% CI 1.12-7.44), depression (OR 2.79; 95% CI 1.7-4.57), and agitation (OR 1.61; 95% CI 1.05-2.48). Reduced visual acuity was associated with hallucinations (OR 10.13; 95% CI 2.93-34.98), psychosis (OR 6.69, 95% CI 2.53-17.7), and mania (OR 5.92, 95% CI 1.77-19.82). However, these associations did not remain significant after covariate adjustment. CONCLUSIONS Visual impairment was associated with hallucinations, depression, agitation, psychosis, and mania in patients with dementia, but at least some of this relationship is explained by age, comorbidities, and other factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melissa Li
- Departments of Neurology, Ophthalmology, and Epidemiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Qian S, Yong C, Li S, Peng J, Li X, Ye Q, Liu Q, Li N, Hu J, Deng Q, Wang Y, Zhu J, Zhao X, Zhou J. Bidirectional Relationships Between Sleep Quality and Cognitive Function in Older Chinese Adults: Observational Analysis of SAWA Trial. Am J Health Promot 2025:8901171251326311. [PMID: 40077988 DOI: 10.1177/08901171251326311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/14/2025]
Abstract
PurposeTo examine the bidirectional relationships between sleep quality and cognitive function in older Chinese, and further examine the sex differences in the relationships using the random intercept cross-lagged panel model.DesignA secondary observational analysis of a physical activity clustered randomized controlled trial (The Stay Active While Aging).SettingEight villages in Sichuan, China.SubjectsA total of 511 adults aged 60 or older. The response rate was 97.3%.MeasuresThe Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was used to examine sleep quality. Cognitive function was assessed by the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status.ResultsThe mean age was 71.0 (SD, 5.710) years and 227 (44.4%) were men. Sleep quality in the previous wave was associated with cognitive function in the subsequent wave (β = -0.135, [95%CI -0.244 to -0.026], wave 2 to 3; β = -0.108, [95%CI -0.204 to -0.013], wave 4 to 5). Cognitive function in the previous wave was associated with sleep quality in the subsequent wave (β = -0.404, [95%CI -0.566 to -0.242], wave 3 to 4; β = -0.224, [95%CI -0.392 to -0.055], wave 4 to 5). Such relationships were significant only in women.ConclusionsThere were bidirectional relationships between sleep quality and cognitive function in older adults, especially in women. Future cognition interventions may find it helpful to improve sleep quality, and vice versa, particularly in women.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shiyuan Qian
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Chan Yong
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Shiyi Li
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | | | - Xianlan Li
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qin Ye
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qianqian Liu
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Nanyan Li
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Julinling Hu
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Qian Deng
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Yufei Wang
- School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Jingjie Zhu
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Xing Zhao
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
| | - Junmin Zhou
- West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China
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Como DH, Lekovitch C, Wong CM, Chew F, Bieber DC, Leland NE. Perspectives of Nursing Home Staff: Application of Dementia Training Approaches. J Appl Gerontol 2025; 44:156-165. [PMID: 39047383 DOI: 10.1177/07334648241265195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Non-pharmacological strategies are prioritized to manage dementia-related symptoms in nursing homes (NHs). A multiple-case study design, embedded within a pragmatic trial, examined NH staff perspectives of applying a team-based (TB) or problem-based dementia training program to resident care. A purposive sample of staff was recruited from 23 NHs to participate in one-on-one interviews, which were analyzed using a rapid qualitative approach. Both approaches yielded staff who were able to apply their training to resident care. Staff described similarities in communication strategies, family interactions, recognizing sources of behaviors, providing comfort, and ensuring resident safety. In addition, staff demonstrated increased self-efficacy when caring for residents. Differences emerged for team collaboration, engaging residents, and managing behaviors. Among TB staff, training impacted how staff cared for residents and increased teamwork. Leaders may want to consider the benefits of each approach as they deliberate on which dementia care training to provide to their staff.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominique H Como
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Cara Lekovitch
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Carin M Wong
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Felicia Chew
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Jefferson College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | | | - Natalie E Leland
- Department of Occupational Therapy, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
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Maleki L, Mohammadian F, Panahishokouh M, Mohebbi N. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to evaluate pregabalin efficacy in the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in patients with Alzheimer's disease. Front Neurosci 2024; 18:1460325. [PMID: 39664445 PMCID: PMC11632838 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2024.1460325] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2024] [Accepted: 11/11/2024] [Indexed: 12/13/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) are common during Alzheimer's disease and cause severe problems for patients and their caregivers. Objectives To assess the therapeutic efficacy of Pregabalin in comparison with a placebo in treating BPSD in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) visiting the memory and cognition clinic of Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital in Tehran, Iran. Methods A 12-week double-blind, randomized comparison of Pregabalin and placebo treatments was conducted in 53 patients with DSM-V diagnosis of dementia of Alzheimer's type. They were randomly assigned to receive Pregabalin (doses: 50 titrated up to 300 mg/day) or a placebo. Clinical response was evaluated using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and the Behavioral Pathology in AD Rating Scale (BEHAVE-AD) scores compared with baseline. Side effects were also recorded carefully. Results Patients receiving Pregabalin had better outcomes in comparison with patients receiving a placebo regarding both NPI and BEHAVE-AD scores after 12 weeks (p-value = 0.009 for NPI and p-value = 0.003 for BEHAVE-AD). There was also a statistically significant decrease in the treatment group depression sub-score regarding NPI and BEHAVE-AD (respectively, p-value =0.000, 0.003). The caregiver burden sub-score of the NPI test was also lower in patients receiving pregabalin (p-value = 0.000). There was no statistically significant difference between the occurrence of adverse effects between the two groups (p-value = 1.00). Conclusion Pregabalin at a dose of 300 mg/day was well tolerated and associated with reductions in the severity and frequency of behavioral symptoms in patients with AD. Pregabalin could be considered a favorable choice for treating BPSD in adults with mild to moderate stages of Alzheimer 's-type dementia, considering its befitting safety profile. Clinical trial registration https://www.irct.ir/trial/52750, identifier IRCT20201201049553N1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leyla Maleki
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Mohammadian
- Department of Psychiatry, Roozbeh Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahsa Panahishokouh
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Niayesh Mohebbi
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Research Center for Rational Use of Drugs, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Zhou G, Yin S, Zhang S, Hao F, Ma L. Risperidone for the Treatment of Dementia-Related Psychosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2024; 54:120-134. [PMID: 39342931 DOI: 10.1159/000540689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 10/01/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Risperidone is one of the atypical antipsychotics that has been used for the treatment of dementia-related psychosis (DRP). However, the findings concerning its efficacy and safety in DRP are contradictory. METHODS We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to address the effects of risperidone on the alleviation of DRP. We searched Medline via PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and PsychINFO from the inception until May 2024. Appropriate statistical tests were used to test the study hypothesis. RESULTS The study included 17 articles and 2,311 patients with DRP. Risperidone alleviated DRP with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.355 (95% CI: 0.170-0.541, p = 0.000). The impact of treatment was positively associated with treatment duration (slope p = 0.038) and dose (slope p = 0.000). Six studies (n = 354) reported the data for the effects of risperidone on cognitive function. Analysis showed that risperidone treatment deteriorated cognitive function in DRP patients with an SMD of -0.185 (95% CI: -0.349 to -0.020, p = 0.028). The mean effect size was 0.36 with a 95% CI of 0.17-0.54. However, the true effect size in 95% of all comparable populations fell in the interval of -0.37 to 1.08. This revealed a high heterogeneity among the included publications as the prediction interval showed a wider range of expected treatment effects than CI. CONCLUSION Our meta-analysis provides evidence for the effectiveness of risperidone in the management of DRP. However, because of safety concerns and high data heterogeneity, risperidone use should be individualized for each patient.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guanghua Zhou
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, China
| | - Suna Yin
- Department of Operating Room, Liaocheng Veterans Hospital, Liaocheng, China
| | - Shubao Zhang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, China
| | - Fang Hao
- Department of Neurology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, China
| | - Lin Ma
- Department of Neurology, Liaocheng People's Hospital, Liaocheng, China
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Ray NR, Kumar A, Zaman A, del Rosario P, Mena PR, Manoochehri M, Stein C, De Vito AN, Sweet RA, Hohman TJ, Cuccaro ML, Beecham GW, Huey ED, Reitz C. Disentangling the genetic underpinnings of neuropsychiatric symptoms in Alzheimer's disease in the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project: Study design and methodology. ALZHEIMER'S & DEMENTIA (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 16:e70000. [PMID: 39183746 PMCID: PMC11342352 DOI: 10.1002/dad2.70000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 07/24/2024] [Accepted: 07/26/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are highly prevalent in Alzheimer's disease (AD). There are no effective treatments targeting these symptoms. METHODS To facilitate identification of causative mechanistic pathways, we initiated an effort (NIH: U01AG079850) to collate, harmonize, and analyze all available NPS data (≈ 100,000 samples) of diverse ancestries with whole-genome sequencing data from the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project (ADSP). RESULTS This study will generate a genomic resource for Alzheimer's disease with both harmonized whole-genome sequencing and NPS phenotype data that will be publicly available through NIAGADS. Primary analyses will (1) identify novel genetic risk factors associated with NPS in AD, (2) characterize the shared genetic architecture of NPS in AD and primary psychiatric disorders, and (3) assess the role of ancestry effects in the etiology of NPS in AD. DISCUSSION Expansion of the ADSP to harmonize and refine NPS phenotypes coupled with the proposed core analyses will lay the foundation to disentangle the molecular mechanisms underlying these detrimental symptoms in AD in diverse populations. Highlights Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are highly prevalent in Alzheimer's disease (AD).There are no effective treatments targeting NPS in AD.The current effort aims to collate, harmonize, and analyze all NPS data from the Alzheimer's Disease Sequencing Project.Core analyses will identify underlying genetic factors and mechanistic pathways.The harmonized genomic and phenotypic data from this initiative will be available through National Institute on Aging Genetics of Alzheimer's Disease Data Storage Site.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas R. Ray
- Gertrude H. Sergievsky CenterColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging BrainColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Ajneesh Kumar
- Gertrude H. Sergievsky CenterColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging BrainColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Andrew Zaman
- The John P. Hussman Institute for Human GenomicsUniversity of MiamiMiamiFloridaUSA
- Dr. John T. MacDonald Foundation Department of Human GeneticsUniversity of MiamiMiamiFloridaUSA
| | - Pamela del Rosario
- Gertrude H. Sergievsky CenterColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging BrainColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
| | - Pedro R. Mena
- The John P. Hussman Institute for Human GenomicsUniversity of MiamiMiamiFloridaUSA
- Dr. John T. MacDonald Foundation Department of Human GeneticsUniversity of MiamiMiamiFloridaUSA
| | - Masood Manoochehri
- Department of Psychiatry and Human BehaviorAlpert Medical School of Brown UniversityProvidenceRhode IslandUSA
| | - Colin Stein
- Department of Psychiatry and Human BehaviorAlpert Medical School of Brown UniversityProvidenceRhode IslandUSA
| | - Alyssa N. De Vito
- Department of Psychiatry and Human BehaviorAlpert Medical School of Brown UniversityProvidenceRhode IslandUSA
| | - Robert A. Sweet
- Department of PsychiatrySchool of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
- Department of NeurologySchool of MedicineUniversity of PittsburghPittsburghPennsylvaniaUSA
| | - Timothy J. Hohman
- Vanderbilt Memory and Alzheimer's CenterVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
- Department of NeurologyVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
- Vanderbilt Genetics InstituteVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTennesseeUSA
| | - Michael L. Cuccaro
- The John P. Hussman Institute for Human GenomicsUniversity of MiamiMiamiFloridaUSA
- Dr. John T. MacDonald Foundation Department of Human GeneticsUniversity of MiamiMiamiFloridaUSA
| | - Gary W. Beecham
- The John P. Hussman Institute for Human GenomicsUniversity of MiamiMiamiFloridaUSA
- Dr. John T. MacDonald Foundation Department of Human GeneticsUniversity of MiamiMiamiFloridaUSA
| | - Edward D. Huey
- Department of Psychiatry and Human BehaviorAlpert Medical School of Brown UniversityProvidenceRhode IslandUSA
| | - Christiane Reitz
- Gertrude H. Sergievsky CenterColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Taub Institute for Research on Alzheimer's Disease and the Aging BrainColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of NeurologyColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
- Department of EpidemiologyColumbia UniversityNew YorkNew YorkUSA
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Lapid MI, Merrill J, Mueller M, Hermida AP, Nykamp L, Andrus J, Azizi H, Bolton P, Bonsu N, Braga R, Dillon CR, Ecklesdafer D, Evans D, Harper D, Heintz H, Hussain-Krauter S, Holzgen O, Humphrey D, Jiwani S, Johnson EK, Kang S, Kassien J, Kim J, Knapp RG, Kung S, Kremen N, Le K, Mahdasian J, Marzouk T, Masrud JD, Mattingly J, Miller D, Pagali SR, Patrick R, Riva Posse P, Pritchett C, Rahman A, Rath S, Roczniak C, Rummans TA, Sanghani S, Seiner S, Smart L, Tomaschek E, Tsygankova V, VanderSchuur-White L, Walton MP, Wilkins J, Williams A, Williams SM, Petrides G, Forester BP. Electroconvulsive therapy for the acute management of severe agitation in dementia (ECT-AD): A modified study protocol. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0303894. [PMID: 38941338 PMCID: PMC11213353 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0303894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study began as a single-blind randomized controlled trial (RCT) to investigate the efficacy and safety of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for severe treatment-refractory agitation in advanced dementia. The aims are to assess agitation reduction using the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI), evaluate tolerability and safety outcomes, and explore the long-term stability of agitation reduction and global functioning. Due to challenges encountered during implementation, including recruitment obstacles and operational difficulties, the study design was modified to an open-label format and other protocol amendments were implemented. METHODS Initially, the RCT randomized participants 1:1 to either ECT plus usual care or simulated ECT plus usual care (S-ECT) groups. As patients were enrolled, data were collected from both ECT and simulated ECT (S-ECT) patients. The study now continues in an open-label study design where all patients receive actual ECT, reducing the targeted sample size from 200 to 50 participants. RESULTS Study is ongoing and open to enrollment. CONCLUSION The transition of the ECT-AD study design from an RCT to open-label design exemplifies adaptive research methodologies in response to real-world challenges. Data from both the RCT and open-label phases of the study will provide a unique perspective on the role of ECT in managing severe treatment-refractory agitation in dementia, potentially influencing future clinical practices and research approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria I. Lapid
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Julia Merrill
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Martina Mueller
- College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Adriana P. Hermida
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Louis Nykamp
- Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jason Andrus
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry at the Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York, United States of America
| | - Heela Azizi
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry at the Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York, United States of America
- Institute of Behavioral Science, Feinstein Institutes of Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, United States of America
| | - Paula Bolton
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Nana Bonsu
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Raphael Braga
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry at the Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York, United States of America
| | - Catherine R. Dillon
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Donna Ecklesdafer
- Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Darci Evans
- Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
| | - David Harper
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Hannah Heintz
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Sehba Hussain-Krauter
- Ican School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, United States of America
| | - Olivia Holzgen
- Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Daniel Humphrey
- College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Salima Jiwani
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry at the Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York, United States of America
| | - Emily K. Johnson
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Simran Kang
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry at the Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York, United States of America
- Institute of Behavioral Science, Feinstein Institutes of Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, United States of America
| | - Janelle Kassien
- Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Jonathan Kim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Rebecca G. Knapp
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Simon Kung
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Neil Kremen
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry at the Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York, United States of America
| | - Kendra Le
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Jack Mahdasian
- Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Taylor Marzouk
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry at the Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York, United States of America
- Institute of Behavioral Science, Feinstein Institutes of Medical Research, Manhasset, New York, United States of America
| | - Jared D. Masrud
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | | | - Dawn Miller
- Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Sandeep R. Pagali
- Division of Hospital Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Regan Patrick
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Patricio Riva Posse
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Cristina Pritchett
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Aniqa Rahman
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - Swapnil Rath
- Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Cara Roczniak
- Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Teresa A. Rummans
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - Sohag Sanghani
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry at the Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York, United States of America
| | - Steve Seiner
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York, United States of America
| | - LeAnn Smart
- Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Evan Tomaschek
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Valeriya Tsygankova
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Lori VanderSchuur-White
- Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Grand Rapids, Michigan, United States of America
| | - Monica P. Walton
- Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon, United States of America
| | - James Wilkins
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
| | - April Williams
- Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States of America
| | - Sarah M. Williams
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, United States of America
| | - George Petrides
- Northwell, New Hyde Park, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry at the Zucker Hillside Hospital, Glen Oaks, New York, United States of America
- Department of Psychiatry, Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell, Hempstead, New York, United States of America
- RWJBarnabas Health System, Trinitas Regional Medical Center, Elizabeth, New Jersey, United States of America
| | - Brent P. Forester
- McLean Hospital, Belmont, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Harvard Medical School, Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States of America
- Tufts Medical Center, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts, United States of America
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Van den Bulcke L, Peeters AM, Davidoff H, Vaessens R, Vansteelandt K, Van den Stock J, De Vos M, Testelmans D, Vandenbulcke M, Van Den Bossche M. Aggression Severity as a Predictor of Mortality in Dementia. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2024; 25:764-768. [PMID: 37972646 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2023.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES In psychogeriatric units for patients with dementia and behavioral problems, aggression is prevalent. Predictions and timely interventions of aggression are essential to create a safe environment and prevent adverse outcomes. Our study aimed to determine whether aggression severity early during admission to these units could be used as an indicator of adverse outcomes. DESIGN During one year, all aggressive incidents on a psychogeriatric unit were systematically recorded using the Revised Staff Observation of Aggression Scale (SOAS-R). The study investigated the link between the severity of incidents within the first 48 hours of admission and adverse outcomes. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS All patients included in the study were admitted to a psychogeriatric unit for dementia and behavioral problems between November 2020 and October 2021. METHODS The study population was categorized into groups according to the level of aggression severity during the first 48 hours of admission. The impact of aggression severity on the duration of admission, aggression frequency and severity during admission, medication usage at discharge, discharge destination, and mortality risk were examined. RESULTS During the initial 2 days of admission, 9 of 88 patients had 1 or more severe aggression incidents. An early manifestation of severe aggression was significantly associated with more incidents during hospitalization, a higher total SOAS-R score, and a sevenfold higher 1-year mortality risk compared with patients who did not or only mildly manifested aggression in the first 48 hours of admission. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS An early manifestation of aggression not only poses a direct safety risk to all involved but is also an early indicator of patients at risk for more detrimental outcomes, specifically mortality risk. By identifying patients at higher risk for adverse outcomes early, health care providers can provide preventive or timelier interventions, mitigating the risk of adverse outcomes and optimizing care services.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Van den Bulcke
- Geriatric Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Neuropsychiatry, Research Group Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Anne-Marie Peeters
- Geriatric Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Neuropsychiatry, Research Group Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Hannah Davidoff
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; CSH (Circuits and Systems for Health) - Imec, Heverlee, Belgium
| | - Rebecca Vaessens
- Geriatric Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Neuropsychiatry, Research Group Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kristof Vansteelandt
- Geriatric Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Neuropsychiatry, Research Group Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jan Van den Stock
- Geriatric Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Neuropsychiatry, Research Group Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maarten De Vos
- Department of Electrical Engineering (ESAT), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Department of Development and Regeneration, Faculty of Medicine, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Dries Testelmans
- Department of Pneumology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Laboratory of Respiratory Diseases and Thoracic Surgery (BREATHE), Department of Chronic Diseases and Metabolism, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Mathieu Vandenbulcke
- Geriatric Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Neuropsychiatry, Research Group Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Maarten Van Den Bossche
- Geriatric Psychiatry, University Psychiatric Center, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium; Neuropsychiatry, Research Group Psychiatry, Department of Neurosciences, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
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9
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Huang CY, Wu MY, Huang MC, Yu TS, Mayer PK, Yen HR. The Association between Acupuncture Therapy and the Risk of Disability Development in Dementia Patients: A Nationwide Cohort Study. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2024; 20:295-305. [PMID: 38405423 PMCID: PMC10893787 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s432556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose Disability is the comorbidity of dementia for which there is no available preventive measure. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between acupuncture treatment and the risk of disability development in dementia patients. Patients and Methods A cohort study was performed using a nationwide health database in Taiwan. The included dementia patients were divided into acupuncture and non-acupuncture cohorts based on whether they received acupuncture treatment during the follow-up period. The variables in the two cohorts were controlled by 1:1 propensity-score matching. The difference in disability development in dementia patients between the acupuncture and non-acupuncture cohorts was also analyzed. Subgroup analyses were performed using socioeconomic variables, comorbidities and anti-dementia agents (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine and memantine) used for dementia treatment. Results A total of 9,760 dementia patients met our inclusion criteria, and patients were divided into an equal number (n=2,422) of acupuncture and non-acupuncture groups, respectively, after 1:1 propensity-score matching. The dementia patients had a lower risk of disability development after acupuncture treatment than those who did not receive acupuncture treatment (adjusted hazard ratio 0.65, 95% confidence interval 0.60-0.70, p < 0.001). The results were independent of basic variables or comorbidities in the two cohorts. Patients who did not use anti-dementia agents had a lower risk of developing disability after receiving acupuncture intervention than those who used anti-dementia agents. Conclusion Our results revealed the relationship between acupuncture intervention and decreased risk of developing disability in dementia patients. The results are useful for dementia treatment, trial design and further planning of care programs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Yu Huang
- Department of Family Medicine, Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital, Buddhist Tzu Chi Medical Foundation, Taichung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Mei-Yao Wu
- Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Post-Baccalaureate Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Cheng Huang
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Teng-Shun Yu
- Management Office for Health Data, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- College of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Peter Karl Mayer
- Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- International Master Program in Acupuncture, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hung-Rong Yen
- Graduate Institute of Chinese Medicine, School of Chinese Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Research Center for Traditional Chinese Medicine, Department of Medical Research, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- International Master Program in Acupuncture, College of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Chinese Medicine Research Center, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
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10
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Nagata T, Nakajima S, Kito S, Shinagawa S. The Association Between Distinct Delusional Ideations and Depressive Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease: A Re-Analysis of CATIE-AD. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 101:661-670. [PMID: 39213078 PMCID: PMC11492010 DOI: 10.3233/jad-240702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/12/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Background Delusional ideations, one of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPSs), are frequently shown in the long-term progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), and comorbid with other NPSs including depression or agitation. Despite various types of delusional ideations, the comorbidity between each delusional ideation and depressive symptoms has not been discussed. Objective The present cross-sectional study is aimed at testing the hypothetical mechanism of comorbid pattern in AD. Methods Among 421 patients with AD, we analyzed the dataset of the Clinical Antipsychotic Trials of Intervention Effectiveness-Alzheimer's Disease to compare age, sex, racial type, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, and Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) depression score of between the presence and absence of each delusional ideation (delusion of persecution, theft, jealousy, abandonment, phantom boarder, Capgras syndrome, misidentification of place, or television sign). Next, with the stratification based on MMSE score of < or > = 15 points, we further explored association between delusional ideation and depressive symptom that was found significances in the primary analysis. Results Among eight subtypes of delusional ideations, depression score was higher in those with persecution delusion or Capgras syndrome. Moreover, the Capgras syndrome was associated with presence of depression in severer global cognitive impairment status. Conclusions As comorbid NPSs of delusional ideation in AD, depressive severity is associated with specific delusional subtype: persecution delusion and Capgras syndrome. Capgras syndrome may be attributable to severe cognitive impairment in addition to depressive symptom. The consideration of pathogenetic differences in the distinct delusional ideations may be helpful for clinicians to select the treatment strategy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomoyuki Nagata
- Department of Psychiatry, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for Dementia-Related Diseases, Airanomori Hospital, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Shinichiro Nakajima
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shinsuke Kito
- Department of Psychiatry, The Jikei University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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11
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Thunell JA, Joyce GF, Ferido PM, Chen Y, Guadamuz JS, Qato DM, Zissimopoulos JM. Diagnoses and Treatment of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia Among Racially and Ethnically Diverse Persons Living with Dementia. J Alzheimers Dis 2024; 99:513-523. [PMID: 38669535 DOI: 10.3233/jad-231266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Background Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and prescribed central nervous system (CNS) active drugs to treat them are prevalent among persons living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (PLWD) and lead to negative outcomes for PLWD and their caregivers. Yet, little is known about racial/ethnic disparities in diagnosis and use of drugs to treat BPSD. Objective Quantify racial/ethnic disparities in BPSD diagnoses and CNS-active drug use among community-dwelling PLWD. Methods We used a retrospective cohort of community-dwelling Medicare Fee-for-Service beneficiaries with dementia, continuously enrolled in Parts A, B and D, 2017-2019. Multivariate logistic models estimated rates of BPSD diagnosis and, conditional on diagnosis, CNS-active drug use. Results Among PLWD, 67.1% had diagnoses of an affective, psychosis or hyperactivity symptom. White (68.3%) and Hispanic (63.9%) PLWD were most likely, Blacks (56.6%) and Asians (52.7%) least likely, to have diagnoses. Among PLWD with BPSD diagnoses, 78.6% took a CNS-active drug. Use was highest among whites (79.3%) and Hispanics (76.2%) and lowest among Blacks (70.8%) and Asians (69.3%). Racial/ethnic differences in affective disorders were pronounced, 56.8% of white PLWD diagnosed; Asians had the lowest rates (37.8%). Similar differences were found in use of antidepressants. Conclusions BPSD diagnoses and CNS-active drug use were common in our study. Lower rates of BPSD diagnoses in non-white compared to white populations may indicate underdiagnosis in clinical settings of treatable conditions. Clinicians' review of prescriptions in this population to reduce poor outcomes is important as is informing care partners on the risks/benefits of using CNS-active drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johanna A Thunell
- USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Geoffrey F Joyce
- USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- USC School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Patricia M Ferido
- USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yi Chen
- Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Jenny S Guadamuz
- USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- USC School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dima M Qato
- USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- USC School of Pharmacy, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Julie M Zissimopoulos
- USC Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- USC Sol Price School of Public Policy, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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12
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Seritan AL. Advances in the Diagnosis and Management of Psychotic Symptoms in Neurodegenerative Diseases: A Narrative Review. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2023; 36:435-460. [PMID: 36941085 PMCID: PMC10578041 DOI: 10.1177/08919887231164357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
Background: Approximately 15% of older adults may experience psychotic phenomena. Primary psychiatric disorders that manifest with psychosis (delusions, hallucinations, and disorganized thought or behavior) account for less than half. Up to 60% of late-life psychotic symptoms are due to systemic medical or neurological conditions, particularly neurodegenerative diseases. A thorough medical workup including laboratory tests, additional procedures if indicated, and neuroimaging studies is recommended. This narrative review summarizes current evidence regarding the epidemiology and phenomenology of psychotic symptoms encountered as part of the neurodegenerative disease continuum (including prodromal and manifest stages). Results: Prodromes are constellations of symptoms that precede the onset of overt neurodegenerative syndromes. Prodromal psychotic features, particularly delusions, have been associated with an increased likelihood of receiving a neurodegenerative disease diagnosis within several years. Prompt prodrome recognition is crucial for early intervention. The management of psychosis associated with neurodegenerative diseases includes behavioral and somatic strategies, although evidence is scarce and mostly limited to case reports, case series, or expert consensus guidelines, with few randomized controlled trials. Conclusion: The complexity of psychotic manifestations warrants management by interprofessional teams that provide coordinated, integrated care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andreea L. Seritan
- University of California, San Francisco Department of Psychiatry and UCSF Weill Institute for Neurosciences, CA, USA
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13
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Kindstedt J, Glader EL, Lövheim H, Lindkvist M, Gustafsson M. The impact of nursing home residency on psychotropic drug use in major neurocognitive disorder: A nationwide comparison. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2023; 38:e6018. [PMID: 37909144 DOI: 10.1002/gps.6018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/02/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Psychotropic drugs are utilized against neuropsychiatric symptoms among people with major neurocognitive disorder (NCD) despite well-documented risks, and older people in nursing homes are expected to be more frequently exposed to those medicines. This study compared psychotropic drug use and associated factors between older people with major NCD and matched references. METHODS This cross-sectional study included individuals from three national registries in Sweden. References were randomly matched 1:1 by age and sex from the Swedish Total Population Register. Drug use was defined as at least one prescription fill from 1 July to 31 December 2019 and presented as proportion of drug users. In addition, ORs regarding psychotropic drug use and associated factors use were analysed using generalized estimating equations. RESULTS There were 102,419 complete matching pairs alive on 31 December 2019. The proportions of psychotropic drug users were 59% in the population of people with major NCD and 28% in the reference group. Moreover, there was a substantial number of individuals in nursing homes who had been treated with antipsychotics but who, for unknown reasons, had not been diagnosed with major NCD. Psychotropic drug use was positively associated with both major NCD and nursing home residency. The difference in drug use in relation to major NCD was more pronounced among people living in ordinary homes. CONCLUSION Despite well-documented risks in people with cognitive impairment, psychotropic drug use was overall high and positively associated with both major NCD and nursing home residency. Taken together, interventions to better target neuropsychiatric symptoms in older people are warranted. Hypnotic drug use among older people in general as well as antipsychotic drug exposure among older people in nursing homes appear to be two important focus areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonas Kindstedt
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Eva-Lotta Glader
- Department of Public Health and Clinical Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Hugo Lövheim
- Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Marie Lindkvist
- Department of Epidemiology and Global Health, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Maria Gustafsson
- Department of Integrative Medical Biology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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14
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Anderson TS, Ayanian JZ, Curto VE, Politzer E, Souza J, Zaslavsky AM, Landon BE. Changes in the Use of Long-Term Medications Following Incident Dementia Diagnosis. JAMA Intern Med 2023; 183:1098-1108. [PMID: 37603340 PMCID: PMC10442785 DOI: 10.1001/jamainternmed.2023.3575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023]
Abstract
Importance Dementia is a life-altering diagnosis that may affect medication safety and goals for chronic disease management. Objective To examine changes in medication use following an incident dementia diagnosis among community-dwelling older adults. Design, Setting, and Participants In this cohort study of adults aged 67 years or older enrolled in traditional Medicare and Medicare Part D, patients with incident dementia diagnosed between January 2012 and December 2018 were matched to control patients based on demographics, geographic location, and baseline medication count. The index date was defined as the date of first dementia diagnosis or, for controls, the date of the closest office visit. Data were analyzed from August 2021 to June 2023. Exposure Incident dementia diagnosis. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcomes were overall medication counts and use of cardiometabolic, central nervous system (CNS)-active, and anticholinergic medications. A comparative time-series analysis was conducted to examine quarterly changes in medication use in the year before through the year following the index date. Results The study included 266 675 adults with incident dementia and 266 675 control adults; in both groups, 65.1% were aged 80 years or older (mean [SD] age, 82.2 [7.1] years) and 67.8% were female. At baseline, patients with incident dementia were more likely than controls to use CNS-active medications (54.32% vs 48.39%) and anticholinergic medications (17.79% vs 15.96%) and less likely to use most cardiometabolic medications (eg, diabetes medications, 31.19% vs 36.45%). Immediately following the index date, the cohort with dementia had a greater increase in mean number of medications used (0.41 vs -0.06; difference, 0.46 [95% CI, 0.27-0.66]) and in the proportion of patients using CNS-active medications (absolute change, 3.44% vs 0.79%; difference, 2.65% [95% CI, 0.85%-4.45%]) owing to an increased use of antipsychotics, antidepressants, and antiepileptics. The cohort with dementia also had a modestly greater decline in use of anticholinergic medications (quarterly change in use, -0.53% vs -0.21%; difference, -0.32% [95% CI, -0.55% to -0.08%]) and most cardiometabolic medications (eg, quarterly change in antihypertensive use: -0.84% vs -0.40%; difference, -0.44% [95% CI, -0.64% to -0.25%]). One year after diagnosis, 75.2% of the cohort with dementia were using 5 or more medications (2.8% increase). Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of Medicare Part D beneficiaries, following an incident dementia diagnosis, patients were more likely to initiate CNS-active medications and modestly more likely to discontinue cardiometabolic and anticholinergic medications compared with the control group. These findings suggest missed opportunities to reduce burdensome polypharmacy by deprescribing long-term medications with high safety risks or limited likelihood of benefit or that may be associated with impaired cognition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy S. Anderson
- Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - John Z. Ayanian
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
- Division of General Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
| | - Vilsa E. Curto
- Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Eran Politzer
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Jeffrey Souza
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alan M. Zaslavsky
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Bruce E. Landon
- Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
- Department of Health Care Policy, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
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15
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Buijk MA, Lauw RF, Coebergh JAF, Bouachmir O, Linszen MMJ, Blom JD. Musical hallucinations, secondary delusions, and lack of insight: results from a cohort study. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1253625. [PMID: 37840806 PMCID: PMC10569219 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1253625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Although musical hallucinations do not tend to be accompanied by delusions, occasionally patients persistently accuse others of being responsible for causing the music they perceive, sometimes with severe social consequences such as frequently calling the police or moving house. In this study we seek to broaden our understanding of this rare type of musical hallucination that comes with secondary delusions and lack of insight, and to explore associations, underlying mechanisms, and treatment possibilities. Methods The present study is part of a cohort study on musical hallucinations carried out in the Netherlands from 2010 through 2023. Participants underwent testing with the aid of the MuHa Questionnaire, Launay-Slade Hallucinations Scale (LSHS), Schizotypal Personality Questionnaire (SPQ), Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS), and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE). Additionally, they underwent a brain MRI, electroencephalogram, and audiological testing. Results Five patients out of a group of N = 81 (6%) lacked insight and presented with secondary delusions regarding the perceived music. They were all female, of advanced age, and hearing-impaired, and were diagnosed with cognitive impairment. In three patients (60%), risperidone was started. This had a positive effect on the hallucinations and secondary delusions. Conclusion The pathophysiological process underlying musical hallucinations is multifactorial in nature. We consider cognitive impairment the most likely contributing factor of the secondary delusions and lack of insight encountered in our patients, and antipsychotics the most beneficial treatment. On the basis of these small numbers, no definite conclusions can be drawn, so further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and to develop evidence-based treatment methods for people experiencing this rare and debilitating combination of symptoms. Since the black box warning of risperidone cautions against the use of this drug in elderly persons with dementia, a proper comparison with the efficacy and safety of other antipsychotics for this group is paramount.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - René F. Lauw
- Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, Netherlands
| | - Jan Adriaan F. Coebergh
- Department of Neurology, Ashford/St. Peter’s Hospital, Chertsey, United Kingdom
- Department of Neurology, St. George’s Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | | | - Mascha M. J. Linszen
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Jan Dirk Blom
- Parnassia Psychiatric Institute, The Hague, Netherlands
- Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, Netherlands
- Faculty of Social and Behavioural Sciences, Leiden University, Leiden, Netherlands
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16
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Vranceanu AM, Choukas NR, Rochon EA, Duarte B, Pietrzykowski MO, McDermott K, Hooker JE, Kulich R, Quiroz YT, Parker RA, Macklin EA, Ritchie C, Mace RA. Addressing the Chronic Pain-Early Cognitive Decline Comorbidity Among Older Adults: Protocol for the Active Brains Remote Efficacy Trial. JMIR Res Protoc 2023; 12:e47319. [PMID: 37768713 PMCID: PMC10570897 DOI: 10.2196/47319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2023] [Revised: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic pain and early cognitive decline, which are costly to treat and highly prevalent among older adults, commonly co-occur, exacerbate one another over time, and can accelerate the development and progression of Alzheimer disease and related dementias. We developed the first mind-body activity program (Active Brains [AB]) tailored to the needs of older adults with chronic pain and early cognitive decline. Results from our previous study strongly supported the feasibility of conducting AB remotely and provided evidence for improvements in outcomes. OBJECTIVE We are conducting a single-blinded, National Institutes of Health stage-2, randomized clinical trial to establish the efficacy of AB versus a time-matched and dose-matched education control (Health Enhancement Program [HEP]) in improving self-reported and objective outcomes of physical, cognitive, and emotional functions in 260 participants. The methodology described in this paper was informed by the lessons learned from the first year of the trial. METHODS Participants are identified and recruited through multidisciplinary clinician-referred individuals (eg, pain psychologists and geriatricians), the Rally Research platform, social media, and community partnerships. Interested participants complete eligibility screening and electronic informed consent. Baseline assessments include self-report, performance-based measures (eg, 6-min walk test) and objective measures (eg, Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status). Participants are mailed a wrist-worn ActiGraph device (ActiGraph LLC) to passively monitor objective function (eg, steps) during the week between the baseline assessment and the beginning of the programs, which they continue to wear throughout the programs. After baseline assessments, participants are randomized to either AB or HEP and complete 8 weekly, remote, group sessions with a Massachusetts General Hospital psychologist. The AB group receives a Fitbit (Fitbit Inc) to help reinforce increased activity. Assessments are repeated after the intervention and at the 6-month follow-up. Coprimary outcomes include multimodal physical function (self-report, performance based, and objective). Secondary outcomes are cognitive function (self-report and objective), emotional function, and pain. RESULTS We began recruitment in July 2022 and recruited 37 participants across 4 cohorts. Of them, all (n=37, 100%) have completed the baseline assessment, 26 (70%) have completed the posttest assessment, and 9 (24%) are actively enrolled in the intervention (total dropout: n=2, 5%). In the three cohorts (26/37, 70%) that have completed the AB or HEP, 26 (100%) participants completed all 8 group sessions (including minimal makeups), and watch adherence (1937/2072, 93.48%, average across ActiGraph and Fitbit devices) has been excellent. The fourth cohort is ongoing (9/37, 24%), and we plan to complete enrollment by March 2026. CONCLUSIONS We aim to establish the efficacy of the AB program over a time-matched and dose-matched control in a live video-based trial and test the mechanisms through theoretically driven mediators and moderators. Findings will inform the development of a future multisite effectiveness-implementation trial. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05373745; https://classic.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05373745. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID) DERR1-10.2196/47319.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana-Maria Vranceanu
- Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Nathaniel R Choukas
- Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Elizabeth A Rochon
- Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Brooke Duarte
- Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Malvina O Pietrzykowski
- Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Katherine McDermott
- Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Julia E Hooker
- Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ronald Kulich
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care and Pain Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Yakeel T Quiroz
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Multicultural Alzheimer's Prevention Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Robert A Parker
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Biostatistics Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Eric A Macklin
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Biostatistics Center, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Christine Ritchie
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
- Mongan Institute Center for Aging and Serious Illness and the Division of Palliative Care and Geriatric Medicine, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Ryan A Mace
- Center for Health Outcomes and Interdisciplinary Research, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, United States
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
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17
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Lühnen J, Richter T, Calo S, Meyer G, Köpke S, Möhler R. Psychosocial interventions for reducing antipsychotic medication in care home residents. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2023; 8:CD008634. [PMID: 37650479 PMCID: PMC10471006 DOI: 10.1002/14651858.cd008634.pub3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Antipsychotic medications are regularly prescribed in care home residents for the management of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) despite questionable efficacy, important adverse effects, and available non-pharmacological interventions. Prescription rates are related to organisational factors, staff training and job satisfaction, patient characteristics, and specific interventions. Psychosocial intervention programmes aimed at reducing the prescription of antipsychotic drugs are available. These programmes may target care home residents (e.g. improving communication and interpersonal relationships) or target staff (e.g. by providing skills for caring for people with BPSD). Therefore, this review aimed to assess the effectiveness of these interventions, updating our earlier review published in 2012. OBJECTIVES To evaluate the benefits and harms of psychosocial interventions to reduce antipsychotic medication use in care home residents compared to regular care, optimised regular care, or a different psychosocial intervention. SEARCH METHODS We used standard, extensive Cochrane search methods. The latest search date was 14 July 2022. SELECTION CRITERIA We included individual or cluster-randomised controlled trials comparing a psychosocial intervention aimed primarily at reducing the use of antipsychotic medication with regular care, optimised regular care, or a different psychosocial intervention. Psychosocial interventions were defined as non-pharmacological intervention with psychosocial components. We excluded medication withdrawal or substitution interventions, interventions without direct interpersonal contact and communication, and interventions solely addressing policy changes or structural interventions. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS We used standard Cochrane methods. Critical appraisal of studies addressed risks of selection, performance, attrition and detection bias, as well as criteria related to cluster randomisation. We retrieved data on the complex interventions on the basis of the TIDieR (Template for Intervention Description and Replication) checklist. Our primary outcomes were 1. use of regularly prescribed antipsychotic medication and 2. ADVERSE EVENTS Our secondary outcomes were 3. mortality; 4. BPSD; 5. quality of life; 6. prescribing of regularly psychotropic medication; 7. regimen of regularly prescribed antipsychotic medication; 8. antipsychotic medication administered 'as needed'; 9. physical restraints; 10. cognitive status; 11. depression; 12. activities of daily living; and 13. COSTS We used GRADE to assess certainty of evidence. MAIN RESULTS We included five cluster-randomised controlled studies (120 clusters, 8342 participants). We found pronounced clinical heterogeneity and therefore decided to present study results narratively. All studies investigated complex interventions comprising, among other components, educational approaches. Because of the heterogeneity of the results, including the direction of effects, we are uncertain about the effects of psychosocial interventions on the prescription of antipsychotic medication. One study investigating an educational intervention for care home staff assessed the use of antipsychotic medication in days of use per 100 resident-days, and found this to be lower in the intervention group (mean difference 6.30 days, 95% confidence interval (CI) 6.05 to 6.66; 1152 participants). The other four studies reported the proportion of participants with a regular antipsychotic prescription. Of two studies implementing an intervention to promote person-centred care, one found a difference in favour of the intervention group (between-group difference 19.1%, 95% CI 0.5% to 37.7%; 338 participants), while the other found a difference in favour of the control group (between-group difference 11.4%, 95% CI 0.9% to 21.9%; 862 participants). One study investigating an educational programme described as "academic detailing" found no difference between groups (odds ratio 1.06, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.20; 5363 participants). The fifth study used a factorial design to compare different combinations of interventions to supplement person-centred care. Results showed a positive effect of medication review, and no clear effect of social interaction or exercise. We considered that, overall, the evidence about this outcome was of low certainty. We found high-certainty evidence that psychosocial interventions intended primarily to reduce antipsychotic use resulted in little to no difference in the number of falls, non-elective hospitalisations, or unplanned emergency department visits. Psychosocial interventions intended primarily to reduce antipsychotic use also resulted in little to no difference in quality of life (moderate-certainty evidence), and BPSD, regular prescribing of psychotropic medication, use of physical restraints, depression, or activities of daily living (all low-certainty evidence). We also found low-certainty evidence that, in the context of these interventions, social interaction and medication review may reduce mortality, but exercise does not. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS All included interventions were complex and the components of the interventions differed considerably between studies. Interventions and intervention components were mostly not described in sufficient detail. Two studies found evidence that the complex psychosocial interventions may reduce antipsychotic medication use. In addition, one study showed that medication review might have some impact on antipsychotic prescribing rates. There were no important adverse events. Overall, the available evidence does not allow for clear generalisable recommendations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Lühnen
- Institute of Health and Nursing Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
- Institute of Clinical Nursing Science, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Tanja Richter
- Unit of Health Sciences and Education, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Stella Calo
- Institute for Health Services Research and Health Economics, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Gabriele Meyer
- Institute of Health and Nursing Sciences, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany
| | - Sascha Köpke
- Unit of Health Sciences and Education, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
- Institute of Nursing Science, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ralph Möhler
- Institute for Health Services Research and Health Economics, Centre for Health and Society, Medical Faculty and University Hospital Düsseldorf, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
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18
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Behfar Q, Richter N, Kural M, Clemens A, Behfar SK, Folkerts AK, Fassbender R, Kalbe E, Fink GR, Onur OA. Improved connectivity and cognition due to cognitive stimulation in Alzheimer's disease. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1140975. [PMID: 37662551 PMCID: PMC10470843 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1140975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Due to the increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and the limited efficacy of pharmacological treatment, the interest in non-pharmacological interventions, e.g., cognitive stimulation therapy (CST), to improve cognitive dysfunction and the quality of life of AD patients are on a steady rise. Objectives Here, we examined the efficacy of a CST program specifically conceptualized for AD dementia patients and the neural mechanisms underlying cognitive or behavioral benefits of CST. Methods Using neuropsychological tests and MRI-based measurements of functional connectivity, we examined the (neuro-) psychological status and network changes at two time points: pre vs. post-stimulation (8 to 12 weeks) in the intervention group (n = 15) who received the CST versus a no-intervention control group (n = 15). Results After CST, we observed significant improvement in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale, cognitive subsection (ADAS-cog), and the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) scores. These cognitive improvements were associated with an up-regulated functional connectivity between the left posterior hippocampus and the trunk of the left postcentral gyrus. Conclusion Our data indicate that CST seems to induce short-term global cognition and behavior improvements in mild to moderate AD dementia and enhances resting-state functional connectivity in learning- and memory-associated brain regions. These convergent results prove that even in mild to moderate dementia AD, neuroplasticity can be harnessed to alleviate cognitive impairment with CST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qumars Behfar
- Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Juelich Research Centre, Jülich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Nils Richter
- Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Juelich Research Centre, Jülich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Merve Kural
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Anne Clemens
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Stefan Kambiz Behfar
- Department of Information Systems, Geneva School of Business Administration (HES-SO Genéve), Carouge, Switzerland
| | - Ann-Kristin Folkerts
- Medical Psychology Neuropsychology and Gender Studies and Center for Neuropsychological Diagnostics and Intervention (CeNDI), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Ronja Fassbender
- Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Juelich Research Centre, Jülich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Elke Kalbe
- Medical Psychology Neuropsychology and Gender Studies and Center for Neuropsychological Diagnostics and Intervention (CeNDI), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Gereon R. Fink
- Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Juelich Research Centre, Jülich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Oezguer A. Onur
- Cognitive Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-3), Juelich Research Centre, Jülich, Germany
- Department of Neurology, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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19
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Bosco F, Ruga S, Citraro R, Leo A, Guarnieri L, Maiuolo J, Oppedisano F, Macrì R, Scarano F, Nucera S, Bava I, Palma E, Muscoli C, Hancke J, De Sarro G, Mollace V. The Effects of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.F.) Wall. Ex Nees and Andrographolide on Neuroinflammation in the Treatment of Neurodegenerative Diseases. Nutrients 2023; 15:3428. [PMID: 37571363 PMCID: PMC10421033 DOI: 10.3390/nu15153428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) affect millions of people worldwide, and to date, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases are the most common NDs. Of the many risk factors for neurodegeneration, the aging process has the most significant impact, to the extent that it is tempting to consider neurodegenerative disease as a manifestation of accelerated aging. However, genetic and environmental factors determine the course of neurodegenerative disease progression. It has been proposed that environmental stimuli influence neuroplasticity. Some clinical studies have shown that healthy lifestyles and the administration of nutraceuticals containing bioactive molecules possessing antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties have a preventive impact or mitigate symptoms in previously diagnosed patients. Despite ongoing research efforts, the therapies currently used for the treatment of NDs provide only marginal therapeutic benefits; therefore, the focus is now directly on the search for natural products that could be valuable tools in combating these diseases, including the natural compound Andrographis paniculata (Ap) and its main constituent, andrographolide (Andro). Preclinical studies have shown that the aqueous extract of Ap can modulate neuroinflammatory and neurodegenerative responses, reducing inflammatory markers and oxidative stress in various NDs. Therefore, in this review, we will focus on the molecular mechanisms by which Ap and Andro can modulate the processes of neurodegeneration and neuroinflammation, which are significant causes of neuronal death and cognitive decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesca Bosco
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food, Safety, and Health (IRC-FSH), University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.R.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (S.N.); (I.B.); (E.P.); (C.M.); (V.M.)
- Section of Pharmacology, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.C.); (A.L.); (G.D.S.)
| | - Stefano Ruga
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food, Safety, and Health (IRC-FSH), University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.R.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (S.N.); (I.B.); (E.P.); (C.M.); (V.M.)
| | - Rita Citraro
- Section of Pharmacology, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.C.); (A.L.); (G.D.S.)
- Research Center FAS@UMG, Science of Health Department, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Antonio Leo
- Section of Pharmacology, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.C.); (A.L.); (G.D.S.)
- Research Center FAS@UMG, Science of Health Department, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Lorenza Guarnieri
- Section of Pharmacology, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.C.); (A.L.); (G.D.S.)
| | - Jessica Maiuolo
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biology, IRC-FSH Center, Department of Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Nutraceutical, Faculty of Pharmacy, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Francesca Oppedisano
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food, Safety, and Health (IRC-FSH), University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.R.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (S.N.); (I.B.); (E.P.); (C.M.); (V.M.)
| | - Roberta Macrì
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food, Safety, and Health (IRC-FSH), University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.R.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (S.N.); (I.B.); (E.P.); (C.M.); (V.M.)
| | - Federica Scarano
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food, Safety, and Health (IRC-FSH), University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.R.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (S.N.); (I.B.); (E.P.); (C.M.); (V.M.)
| | - Saverio Nucera
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food, Safety, and Health (IRC-FSH), University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.R.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (S.N.); (I.B.); (E.P.); (C.M.); (V.M.)
| | - Irene Bava
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food, Safety, and Health (IRC-FSH), University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.R.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (S.N.); (I.B.); (E.P.); (C.M.); (V.M.)
| | - Ernesto Palma
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food, Safety, and Health (IRC-FSH), University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.R.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (S.N.); (I.B.); (E.P.); (C.M.); (V.M.)
| | - Carolina Muscoli
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food, Safety, and Health (IRC-FSH), University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.R.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (S.N.); (I.B.); (E.P.); (C.M.); (V.M.)
| | | | - Giovambattista De Sarro
- Section of Pharmacology, Science of Health Department, School of Medicine, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (R.C.); (A.L.); (G.D.S.)
- Research Center FAS@UMG, Science of Health Department, University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Mollace
- Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food, Safety, and Health (IRC-FSH), University Magna Graecia of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy; (S.R.); (F.O.); (R.M.); (F.S.); (S.N.); (I.B.); (E.P.); (C.M.); (V.M.)
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20
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Kołodziej D, Sobczak Ł, Łączkowski KZ. New opportunities for treatment and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases with PTP1B inhibitors. Future Med Chem 2023; 15:1443-1447. [PMID: 37610866 DOI: 10.4155/fmc-2023-0187] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/25/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Dominika Kołodziej
- Department of Chemical Technology and Pharmaceuticals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, 85-089, Poland
| | - Łukasz Sobczak
- Hospital Pharmacy, Municipal Hospital in Bydgoszcz, Bydgoszcz, 85-826, Poland
- Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, 85-067, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Z Łączkowski
- Department of Chemical Technology and Pharmaceuticals, Faculty of Pharmacy, Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, 85-089, Poland
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21
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Growdon ME, Gan S, Yaffe K, Lee AK, Anderson TS, Muench U, Boscardin WJ, Steinman MA. New psychotropic medication use among Medicare beneficiaries with dementia after hospital discharge. J Am Geriatr Soc 2023; 71:1134-1144. [PMID: 36514208 PMCID: PMC10089969 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.18161] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Hospitalizations among people with dementia (PWD) may precipitate behavioral changes, leading to the psychotropic medication use despite adverse outcomes and limited efficacy. We sought to determine the incidence of new psychotropic medication use among community-dwelling PWD after hospital discharge and, among new users, the proportion with prolonged use. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort study using a 20% random sample of Medicare claims in 2017, including hospitalized PWD with traditional and Part D Medicare who were 68 years or older. The primary outcome was incident prescribing at discharge of psychotropics including antipsychotics, sedative-hypnotics, antiepileptics, and antidepressants. This was defined as new prescription fills (i.e., from classes not used in 180 days preadmission) within 7 days of hospital or skilled nursing facility discharge. Prolonged use was defined as the proportion of new users who continued to fill newly prescribed medications beyond 90 days of discharge. RESULTS The cohort included 117,022 hospitalized PWD with a mean age of 81 years; 63% were female. Preadmission, 63% were using at least 1 psychotropic medication; 10% were using medications from ≥3 psychotropic classes. These included antidepressants (44% preadmission), antiepileptics (29%), sedative-hypnotics (21%), and antipsychotics (11%). The proportion of PWD discharged from the hospital with new psychotropics ranged from 1.9% (antipsychotics) to 2.9% (antiepileptics); 6.6% had at least one new class started. Among new users, prolonged use ranged from 36% (sedative-hypnotics) to 63% (antidepressants); across drug classes, prolonged use occurred in 51%. Predictors of newly initiated psychotropics included length of stay (≥median vs. CONCLUSIONS Hospitalized PWD have a high prevalence of preadmission psychotropic medication use; against this baseline, discharge from the hospital with new psychotropics is relatively uncommon. Nevertheless, prolonged use of newly initiated psychotropics occurs in a substantial proportion of this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E Growdon
- Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Geriatrics, Palliative, and Extended Care Service Line, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Siqi Gan
- Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Northern California Institute for Research and Education, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kristine Yaffe
- Mental Health, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Departments of Neurology and Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Alexandra K Lee
- Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Geriatrics, Palliative, and Extended Care Service Line, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Timothy S Anderson
- Division of General Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Ulrike Muench
- Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - W John Boscardin
- Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Michael A Steinman
- Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
- Geriatrics, Palliative, and Extended Care Service Line, San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA
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22
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Jeong J, Yoo EY, Pryor L, Kang BH, Ha YN. The Effects of a Tailored Activity Program for Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. PHYSICAL & OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY IN GERIATRICS 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/02703181.2022.2128972] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiin Jeong
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun-Young Yoo
- Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Software and Digital Healthcare Convergence, Yonsei University, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Loree Pryor
- Department of Occupational Therapy, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, Texas, USA
| | - Byoung-Ho Kang
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Yae-Na Ha
- Department of Occupational Therapy, Graduate School, Yonsei University, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea
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23
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Brimelow R, Beattie E, Byrne G, Dissanayaka N. Frequency of changed behaviours in residential aged care and common mitigation strategies - A retrospective review of behavioural report logs. J Clin Nurs 2022. [PMID: 36168200 DOI: 10.1111/jocn.16531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Changed behaviours in residential aged care facilities (RACF) are frequently reported in the literature. How RACF staff routinely respond to these observed changed behaviours represents a significant gap. OBJECTIVE To analyse the frequency of changed behaviour reported within RACF behavioural report logs and to ascertain how staff typically manage these behaviours. METHODS Residents (N = 25) with varying levels of cognitive function were recruited from a 160 bed RACF in Queensland, Australia. A retrospective analysis of behavioural report logs was conducted to elucidate prevalence of reported changed behaviours as categorised by RACF staff. Thematic analysis of staff recorded behavioural mitigation strategies was used to categorise staff actions. A case analysis was also conducted to highlight the challenges faced by RACF staff managing persistent acute changed behaviours using identified common mitigation strategies. The STROBE guidelines were followed for reporting. RESULTS There were 395 behaviours recorded in a two-month period. Physical agitation, interfering while wandering, trying to get to inappropriate places, verbal refusal of care, physical aggression, and verbal disruption were most frequently reported by staff. Management strategies included redirection, PRN psychotropic medication, reassurance, routine care practices, offering of beverages, repositioning, and rarely analgesia. A 24-h case analysis highlighted how staff utilised redirection and multiple doses of a PRN benzodiazepine with limited effectiveness. CONCLUSION This study reveals current mitigation strategies employed by RACF staff in response to acute changed behaviours often associated with dementia. Agitation and wandering are prevalent and are difficult for staff to manage effectively. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE This study highlights that careful consideration should be taken to avoid overuse of PRN benzodiazepines in management of changed behaviours. Short-term mitigation strategies, such as redirection, may not be effective if underlying causes such as pain, physiological, mental, emotional, or social needs are not met. PATIENT AND PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION A RACF participated in project design and review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachel Brimelow
- The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia
| | - Elizabeth Beattie
- School of Nursing, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia.,Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Kelvin Grove, Queensland, Australia
| | - Gerard Byrne
- The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,Royal Brisbane Clinical Unit, Royal Brisbane & Woman's Hospital, Queensland, Australia
| | - Nadeeka Dissanayaka
- The University of Queensland Centre for Clinical Research, Herston, Queensland, Australia.,The University of Queensland School of Psychology, Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences, St Lucia, Queensland, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Herston, Queensland, Australia
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24
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Hermush V, Ore L, Stern N, Mizrahi N, Fried M, Krivoshey M, Staghon E, Lederman VE, Bar-Lev Schleider L. Effects of rich cannabidiol oil on behavioral disturbances in patients with dementia: A placebo controlled randomized clinical trial. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:951889. [PMID: 36148467 PMCID: PMC9486160 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.951889] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BackgroundAlmost 90% of patients with dementia suffer from some type of neurobehavioral symptom, and there are no approved medications to address these symptoms.ObjectiveTo evaluate the safety and efficacy of the medical cannabis oil “Avidekel” for the reduction of behavioral disturbances among patients with dementia.Materials and methodsIn this randomized, double-blind, single-cite, placebo-controlled trial conducted in Israel (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03328676), patients aged at least 60, with a diagnosis of major neurocognitive disorder and associated behavioral disturbances were randomized 2:1 to receive either “Avidekel,” a broad-spectrum cannabis oil (30% cannabidiol and 1% tetrahydrocannabinol: 295 mg and 12.5 mg per ml, respectively; n = 40) or a placebo oil (n = 20) three times a day for 16 weeks. The primary outcome was a decrease, as compared to baseline, of four or more points on the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory score by week 16.ResultsFrom 60 randomized patients [mean age, 79.4 years; 36 women (60.0%)], 52 (86.7%) completed the trial (all eight patients who discontinued treatment were from the investigational group). There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of subjects who had a Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory score reduction of ≥ 4 points at week 16: 24/40 (60.0%) and 6/20 (30.0%) for investigational and control groups, respectively (χ2 = 4.80, P = 0.03). There was a statistically significant difference in the proportion of subjects who had a Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory score reduction of ≥ 8 points at week 16: 20/40 (50%) and 3/20 (15%), respectively (χ2 = 6.42, P = 0.011). The ANOVA repeated measures analysis demonstrated significantly more improvement in the investigational group compared to the control group at weeks 14 and 16 (F = 3.18, P = 0.02). Treatment was mostly safe, with no significant differences in the occurrence of adverse events between the two groups.ConclusionIn this randomized controlled trial, ‘Avidekel’ oil significantly reduced agitation over placebo in patients suffering from behavioral disturbances related to dementia, with non-serious side-effects. Further research is required with a larger sample size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vered Hermush
- Geriatric Wing, Laniado Hospital, Netanya, Israel
- Technion School of Medicine, Haifa, Israel
- *Correspondence: Vered Hermush,
| | - Liora Ore
- Department of Graduate Studies in Health Systems Management, The Max Stern Yezreel Valley College, Jezreel Valley, Israel
| | - Noa Stern
- Geriatric Wing, Laniado Hospital, Netanya, Israel
- Technion School of Medicine, Haifa, Israel
| | | | - Malki Fried
- Geriatric Wing, Laniado Hospital, Netanya, Israel
| | | | - Ella Staghon
- Geriatric Wing, Laniado Hospital, Netanya, Israel
| | | | - Lihi Bar-Lev Schleider
- Research Department, Tikun-Olam Cannbit Pharmaceuticals, Tel Aviv, Israel
- Clinical Research Center, Soroka University Medical Center and Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Be’er Sheva, Israel
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25
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Gerlach LB, Maust DT, Kales HC, Chang M, Kim HM, Wiechers IR, Zivin K. Evaluation of Antipsychotic Reduction Efforts in Patients With Dementia in Veterans Health Administration Nursing Homes. Am J Psychiatry 2022; 179:544-552. [PMID: 35615813 PMCID: PMC9349465 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.21060591] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) each created initiatives to reduce off-label use of antipsychotics in patients with dementia in nursing homes. Although CMS has reported antipsychotic reductions, the impact on prescribing of antipsychotic and other CNS-active medications in the VHA remains unclear. The authors evaluated national trends in antipsychotic and other CNS-active medication prescribing for nursing home patients with dementia in the VHA. METHODS The study sample was all veterans with dementia residing in VHA nursing homes for more than 30 days (N=35,742). Using an interrupted time-series design, the quarterly prevalences of antipsychotic, antidepressant, antiepileptic, anxiolytic, opioid, and memory medication prescribing were evaluated from FY2009 through FY2018. RESULTS Antipsychotic prescribing in VHA nursing homes declined from FY2009 to FY2018 (from 33.7% to 27.5%), with similar declines in anxiolytic prescribing (from 33.5% to 27.1%). During this period, prescribing of antiepileptics, antidepressants, and opioids increased significantly (antiepileptics: from 26.8% to 43.3%; antidepressants: from 56.8% to 63.4%; opioids: from 32.6% to 41.2%). Gabapentin served as the main driver of antiepileptic increases (from 11.1% to 23.5%). Increases in antidepressant prescribing included sertraline, mirtazapine, and trazodone. From FY2009 to FY2018, the overall prescribing of non-antipsychotic psychotropic medications grew from 75.0% to 81.1%. CONCLUSIONS Antipsychotic and anxiolytic prescribing for VHA nursing home residents with dementia declined, although overall prescribing of other psychotropic and opioid medications increased. Policies focused primarily on reducing antipsychotic use without considering use in the context of other medications may contribute to growth in alternative medication classes with even less evidence of benefit and similar risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren B. Gerlach
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Donovan T. Maust
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Helen C. Kales
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Myron Chang
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - H. Myra Kim
- Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan,Center for Statistical Consulting and Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan
| | - Ilse R. Wiechers
- Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA,Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT
| | - Kara Zivin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan,Center for Clinical Management Research, VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor, Michigan
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26
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Agüera-Ortiz L, Babulal GM, Bruneau MA, Creese B, D'Antonio F, Fischer CE, Gatchel JR, Ismail Z, Kumar S, McGeown WJ, Mortby ME, Nuñez NA, de Oliveira FF, Pereiro AX, Ravona-Springer R, Rouse HJ, Wang H, Lanctôt KL. Psychosis as a Treatment Target in Dementia: A Roadmap for Designing Interventions. J Alzheimers Dis 2022; 88:1203-1228. [PMID: 35786651 PMCID: PMC9484097 DOI: 10.3233/jad-215483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
Psychotic phenomena are among the most severe and disruptive symptoms of dementias and appear in 30% to 50% of patients. They are associated with a worse evolution and great suffering to patients and caregivers. Their current treatments obtain limited results and are not free of adverse effects, which are sometimes serious. It is therefore crucial to develop new treatments that can improve this situation. We review available data that could enlighten the future design of clinical trials with psychosis in dementia as main target. Along with an explanation of its prevalence in the common diseases that cause dementia, we present proposals aimed at improving the definition of symptoms and what should be included and excluded in clinical trials. A review of the available information regarding the neurobiological basis of symptoms, in terms of pathology, neuroimaging, and genomics, is provided as a guide towards new therapeutic targets. The correct evaluation of symptoms is transcendental in any therapeutic trial and these aspects are extensively addressed. Finally, a critical overview of existing pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments is made, revealing the unmet needs, in terms of efficacy and safety. Our work emphasizes the need for better definition and measurement of psychotic symptoms in dementias in order to highlight their differences with symptoms that appear in non-dementing diseases such as schizophrenia. Advances in neurobiology should illuminate the development of new, more effective and safer molecules for which this review can serve as a roadmap in the design of future clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis Agüera-Ortiz
- Department of Psychiatry, Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria (imas12), Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, & Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Salud Mental, CIBERSAM, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ganesh M Babulal
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, USA.,Department of Clinical Research and Leadership, The George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, USA.,Department of Psychology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Marie-Andrée Bruneau
- Department of Psychiatry and Addictology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Montreal, Quebec, Canada.,Geriatric Institute of Montreal Research Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
| | - Byron Creese
- Medical School, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, UK
| | | | - Corinne E Fischer
- Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,University of Toronto, Department of Psychiatry, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer R Gatchel
- Harvard Medical School; Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston MA, USA.,McLean Hospital, Belmont MA, USA
| | - Zahinoor Ismail
- Hotchkiss Brain Institute & O'Brien Institute for Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - Sanjeev Kumar
- Adult Neurodevelopmental and Geriatric Psychiatry Division, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.,Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - William J McGeown
- School of Psychological Sciences and Health, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - Moyra E Mortby
- School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia & Neuroscience Research Australia, Sydney, Australia
| | - Nicolas A Nuñez
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | - Fabricio F de Oliveira
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Federal University of São Paulo (UNIFESP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Arturo X Pereiro
- Facultade de Psicoloxía, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, Spain
| | - Ramit Ravona-Springer
- Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel & Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Israel
| | - Hillary J Rouse
- School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.,SiteRx, New York, NY, USA
| | - Huali Wang
- Dementia Care and Research Center, Peking University Institute of Mental Health; National & Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Beijing, China
| | - Krista L Lanctôt
- Hurvitz Brain Sciences Program, Sunnybrook Research Institute and Departments of Psychiatry and Pharmacology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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27
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Bangerter LR, Clark CN, Jarvis MS, Coates E, Sheils NE, Wong A, Cohen K. Medication Fill Patterns for Cognitive and Behavioral or Psychological Symptoms of Alzheimer Disease and Related Dementias. JAMA Netw Open 2022; 5:e2215678. [PMID: 35648403 PMCID: PMC9161012 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2022.15678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
This cohort study investigates prescription drug fill patterns for cognitive and behavioral symptoms among patients with Alzheimer disease and related dementias.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Alyssa Wong
- OptumLabs, Minnetonka, Minnesota
- College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
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28
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Mace RA, Greenberg J, Stauder M, Reynolds G, Vranceanu AM. My Healthy Brain: a multimodal lifestyle program to promote brain health. Aging Ment Health 2022; 26:980-991. [PMID: 33784902 DOI: 10.1080/13607863.2021.1904828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Promoting brain health depends on sustaining healthy behaviors across the lifespan. Yet, public adoption of lifestyle behaviors and knowledge of cognitive decline (CD) prevention remains poor. Our multidisciplinary team developed My Healthy Brain (MHB) to promote a healthy lifestyle (e.g. diet, exercise, alcohol, sleep) and build cognitive reserve (e.g. memory compensatory strategies). Our objective was to demonstrate early proof-of-concept for MHB by exploring the feasibility, acceptability, and improvement in primary lifestyle outcomes as well as secondary outcomes of self-determination and subjective wellbeing. MATERIALS AND METHODS Older adults with subjective (self-report only) or objective (confirmed by cognitive testing) CD, referred by neurologists to modify lifestyle risk factors (e.g. sedentary), participated in a non-randomized open pilot of MHB (N = 24). Participants completed the 8-week MHB group (90 min each) and pre-post outcome measures. RESULTS MHB met all a-priori set benchmarks, including good feasibility of recruitment (71% of patients screened) and enrollment (75% completed baseline), and good acceptability of treatment (75% completed 6 of 8 sessions and post-testing). Program satisfaction was excellent (100% of participants) and no adverse events were reported. We also observed improvements in primary lifestyle outcomes as well as secondary outcomes of self-determination and subjective well-being. DISCUSSION While MHB demonstrated preliminary feasibility and the potential to modify lifestyle risk factors for CD, the program can be improved. Future work will explore the integration of mindfulness skills with behavioral principles to bolster multidomain lifestyle change, and the live video delivery format to bypass barriers to participation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryan A Mace
- Integrated Brain Health Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jonathan Greenberg
- Integrated Brain Health Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew Stauder
- Integrated Brain Health Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Gretchen Reynolds
- Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.,Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Ana-Maria Vranceanu
- Integrated Brain Health Clinical and Research Program, Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Comparative Outcomes of Commonly Used Off-Label Atypical Antipsychotics in the Treatment of Dementia-Related Psychosis: A Network Meta-analysis. Adv Ther 2022; 39:1993-2008. [PMID: 35247186 PMCID: PMC9056477 DOI: 10.1007/s12325-022-02075-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dementia-related psychosis (DRP) is characterized by hallucinations and delusions, which may increase the debilitating effects of underlying dementia. This network meta-analysis (NMA) evaluated the comparative efficacy, safety, and acceptability of atypical antipsychotics (AAPs) commonly used off label to treat DRP. METHODS We included 22 eligible studies from a systematic literature review of AAPs (quetiapine, risperidone, olanzapine, aripiprazole, and brexpiprazole) used off label to treat DRP. Study outcomes were: (1) efficacy-neuropsychiatric inventory-nursing home (NPI-NH psychosis subscale), (2) safety-mortality, cerebrovascular events (CVAEs), and others (somnolence, falls, fractures, injuries, etc.), and (3) acceptability-discontinuations due to all causes, lack of efficacy, and adverse events (AEs). We used random-effects modeling to estimate pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) for NPI-NH psychosis subscale scores and odds ratios (OR) for other dichotomous outcomes, with their respective 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS Compared with placebo, aripiprazole (SMD - 0.12; 95% CI - 0.31, 0.06), and olanzapine (SMD - 0.17; 95% CI - 0.04; 0.02) demonstrated small, non-significant numerical improvements in NPI-NH psychosis scores (5 studies; n = 1891), while quetiapine (SMD 0.04; 95% CI - 0.23, 0.32) did not improve symptoms. The odds of mortality (15 studies, n = 4989) were higher for aripiprazole (OR 1.58; 95% CI 0.62, 4.04), brexpiprazole (OR 2.22; 95% CI 0.30, 16.56), olanzapine (OR 2.21; 95% CI 0.84, 5.85), quetiapine (OR 1.68; 95% CI 0.70, 4.03), and risperidone (OR 1.63; 95% CI 0.93, 2.85) than for placebo. Risperidone (OR 3.68; 95% CI 1.68, 8.95) and olanzapine (OR 4.47; 95% CI 1.36, 14.69) demonstrated significantly greater odds of CVAEs compared to placebo. Compared with placebo, odds of all-cause discontinuation were significantly lower for aripiprazole (OR 0.71; 95% CI 0.51, 0.98; 20 studies; 5744 patients) and higher for other AAPs. Aripiprazole (OR 0.5; 95% CI 0.31, 0.82) and olanzapine (OR 0.48; 95% CI 0.31, 0.74) had significantly lower odds of discontinuation due to lack of efficacy (OR 12 studies; n = 4382) compared to placebo, while results for quetiapine and risperidone were not significant. Compared with placebo, the odds of discontinuation due to AEs (19 studies, n = 5445) were higher for olanzapine (OR 2.62; 95% CI 1.75, 3.92), brexpiprazole (OR 1.80; 95% CI 0.80, 4.07), quetiapine (OR 1.25; 95% CI 0.82, 1.91), aripiprazole (OR 1.38; 95% CI 0.90, 2.13), and risperidone (OR 1.41; 95% CI 1.02, 1.94). CONCLUSIONS Overall results demonstrate that, compared with placebo, quetiapine is not associated with improvement in psychosis in patients with dementia, while olanzapine and aripiprazole have non-significant small numerical improvements. These off-label AAPs (quetiapine, risperidone, olanzapine, aripiprazole, and brexpiprazole) are associated with greater odds of mortality, CVAEs, and discontinuations due to AEs than placebo. These results underscore the ongoing unmet need for newer pharmacological options with a more favorable benefit-risk profile for the treatment of DRP.
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30
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Johannessen A, Tevik K, Engedal K, Helvik AS. Health professionals' experience of nursing home residents' consumption of alcohol and use of psychotropic drugs. NORDIC STUDIES ON ALCOHOL AND DRUGS 2022; 38:161-174. [PMID: 35310007 PMCID: PMC8899075 DOI: 10.1177/1455072520961890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Nursing home (NH) residents are in most cases in older ages and use
prescription drugs. As alcohol interacts with many commonly
prescribed drugs, NH residents may be more vulnerable to the
effects of alcohol. Aim: To investigate the experiences of health professionals in Norwegian
NHs when it comes to residents' alcohol consumption and use of
psychotropic drugs, and the facilitation of such use in the
NH. Method: Focus-groups and individual interviews with NH health professionals
were performed in 2017 and 2018. The data were analysed using
content analysis. Findings: Two main themes emerged: (1) the balancing of alcohol consumption,
and (2) the use of psychotropic drugs. Each of these themes
involved reasoning, which revealed that the informants in
general had little attention regarding alcohol consumption among
residents, and few institutions had policies regarding serving
and consumption of alcohol. The informants reported an increased
attention regarding use of psychotropic drugs and a tendency
towards less use of psychotropic drugs among the residents than
before, but few informants reported use of standardised
observations tools of symptoms related to prescribing and
discontinuation of drugs. Conclusion: Alcohol policies or procedures related to alcohol consumption were
uncommon at the NH that the interviewees of this study
represented, and the professionals regarded infrequent serving
and consumption of alcohol among the residents as a part of
everyday life. In cases when residents frequently consumed
alcohol, the professionals used dialogue to underpin the
adherent risks and they also tried to control the consumption of
the resident in different ways. The interviewees were aware of
various side-effects of psychotropic drugs; they were also aware
of their effects in combination with alcohol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aud Johannessen
- Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway; and University of South-Eastern Norway
| | - Kjerstin Tevik
- Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway; and Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Anne-Sofie Helvik
- Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway; Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway; and St Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
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31
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Pharmacological treatments for psychotic symptoms in dementia: A systematic review with pairwise and network meta-analysis. Ageing Res Rev 2022; 75:101568. [PMID: 35051646 DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2022.101568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Psychotic symptoms of dementia are highly prevalent and lead to poor medical outcomes and substantial dysfunction. To date, which drug to use remains controversial without a summary of all direct or indirect comparisons of pharmacotherapy. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review with pairwise and network meta-analysis to examine efficacy and tolerability outcomes of pharmacological treatments in dementia patients. MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and PubMed were searched systematically up to August 31, 2020. We included trials of cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs), memantine, antipsychotics, antidepressants, and mood stabilizers, with final approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. We ranked the comparative effects of all drugs against placebo with surface under the cumulative ranking (SUCRA) probabilities. This analysis is based on 34 trials, which included 10,415 patients randomly assigned to 15 commonly used drug regimens. Donepezil (standardized mean difference [SMD] -0.30, 95% credible interval [CrI] -0.50 to -0.12; SUCRA, 0.85), memantine (SMD -0.20, 95%CrI -0.34 to -0.07; SUCRA, 0.68) and aripiprazole (SMD -0.17, 95% CrI -0.32 to -0.02; SUCRA, 0.62) showed greater benefit than placebo, and with relatively good tolerability in network meta-analyses. Risperidone was also found to be more efficacious than placebo (SMD -0.16, 95% CrI -0.28 to -0.05; SUCRA, 0.60), but with poor tolerability (odds ratios [OR] 1.50, 95% CrI 1.06-2.26). Donepezil, memantine, haloperidol, aripiprazole and risperidone were more efficacious than quetiapine (SMDs ranged from -0.36 to -0.22). Besides, donepezil, memantine and mirtazapine were more efficacious than sertraline (SMDs ranged from -0.47 to -0.36). Most of the results were rated as "low" to "very low". Several effective treatment choices for psychotic symptoms are available across drug classes. Donepezil, memantine and aripiprazole are probably the appropriate options to consider when a pharmacological treatment is indicated. Given the limitations of the meta-analytic approach and the low methodological quality of the majority of studies, our results should be cautiously interpreted.
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32
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Cohen L, Sher-Censor E, Oppenheim D, Dassa A, Ayalon L, Palgi Y. Emotional availability in dyads of nursing aide - resident with dementia: Old tool, new perspective. DEMENTIA 2022; 21:882-898. [DOI: 10.1177/14713012211065396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Objectives This study examined the emotional availability of nursing aide-resident with dementia dyads in a long-term care-facility. Emotional availability refers to the nursing aide’s sensitivity toward the resident, structuring their interactions in a non-intrusive and non-hostile manner and the resident’s responsiveness to and involvement of the nursing aide. The study evaluated the reciprocity in the emotional availability of nursing aides and the residents and examined whether emotional availability varies with the level of difficulty of taking care of the residents and with the context of the interaction. Method The study was conducted in three wards in one long-term care-facility. Twenty nursing aides and 40 residents took part in the study. Each nursing aide was videotaped during feeding, structured and unstructured interactions, with two residents, one that was nominated by the head nurse as difficult to take care of and one that was nominated as easy to take care of. The interactions were coded using the emotional availability scales. Results Linear mixed-effect model analyses indicated that higher emotional availability of nursing aides was related to higher emotional availability of the residents. Nursing aides’ emotional availability did not vary between “difficult” and “easy” residents or across the three interaction contexts. “Difficult” residents involved their nursing aides less than “easy” residents. Discussion The study documented the reciprocal nature of the interaction between nursing aides and residents with dementia. It suggests that nursing aides have an important role in promoting residents’ responsiveness and involvement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liora Cohen
- Department of Gerontology, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Efrat Sher-Censor
- School of Psychological Sciences and the Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - David Oppenheim
- School of Psychological Sciences and the Center for the Study of Child Development, University of Haifa, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ayelet Dassa
- Music Department, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Liat Ayalon
- Louis and Gabi Weisfeld School of Social Work, Bar-Ilan University, Ramat-Gan, Israel
| | - Yuval Palgi
- Department of Gerontology, University of Haifa, Israel
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Mace RA, Hopkins SW, Reynolds GO, Vranceanu AM. My Healthy Brain: Rationale and Case Report of a Virtual Group Lifestyle Program Targeting Modifiable Risk Factors for Dementia. J Clin Psychol Med Settings 2022; 29:818-830. [PMID: 35079948 PMCID: PMC8788907 DOI: 10.1007/s10880-022-09843-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
Nearly half of dementia cases may be explained by modifiable lifestyle risk factors. Multidomain interventions are needed to bypass cognitive decline (CD) and aging-related barriers to sustained healthy lifestyles in at-risk older adults. We iteratively developed My Healthy Brain, a group-based lifestyle program (8 weeks, 90 min sessions) delivered via live video that applies behavioral principles to target multiple risk factors for dementia. We describe the program structure, virtual delivery, and outcomes for a group of older adults with subjective CD or mild cognitive impairment and lifestyle risk factors (e.g., sedentary, poor sleep or diet). We also conducted a group exit interview to qualitatively assess participant experiences and elicit feedback to improve My Healthy Brain. This case report demonstrates that delivering evidence-based brain health education and behavior change skills in a group setting via live video is feasible, acceptable, and has the potential to improve lifestyle, cognitive, and psychosocial outcomes in older adults with CD.
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Krashia P, Spoleti E, D'Amelio M. The VTA dopaminergic system as diagnostic and therapeutical target for Alzheimer's disease. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:1039725. [PMID: 36325523 PMCID: PMC9618946 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.1039725] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) occur in nearly all patients with Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Most frequently they appear since the mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage preceding clinical AD, and have a prognostic importance. Unfortunately, these symptoms also worsen the daily functioning of patients, increase caregiver stress and accelerate the disease progression from MCI to AD. Apathy and depression are the most common of these NPS, and much attention has been given in recent years to understand the biological mechanisms related to their appearance in AD. Although for many decades these symptoms have been known to be related to abnormalities of the dopaminergic ventral tegmental area (VTA), a direct association between deficits in the VTA and NPS in AD has never been investigated. Fortunately, this scenario is changing since recent studies using preclinical models of AD, and clinical studies in MCI and AD patients demonstrated a number of functional, structural and metabolic alterations affecting the VTA dopaminergic neurons and their mesocorticolimbic targets. These findings appear early, since the MCI stage, and seem to correlate with the appearance of NPS. Here, we provide an overview of the recent evidence directly linking the dopaminergic VTA with NPS in AD and propose a setting in which the precocious identification of dopaminergic deficits can be a helpful biomarker for early diagnosis. In this scenario, treatments of patients with dopaminergic drugs might slow down the disease progression and delay the impairment of daily living activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paraskevi Krashia
- Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Department of Science and Technology for Humans and the Environment, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Spoleti
- Department of Science and Technology for Humans and the Environment, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
| | - Marcello D'Amelio
- Department of Experimental Neurosciences, IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Rome, Italy.,Department of Medicine and Surgery, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy
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Pautex S, Bianchi F, Daali Y, Augsburger M, de Saussure C, Wampfler J, Curtin F, Desmeules J, Broers B. Cannabinoids for behavioral symptoms in severe dementia: Safety and feasibility in a long-term pilot observational study in nineteen patients. Front Aging Neurosci 2022; 14:957665. [PMID: 36247984 PMCID: PMC9557769 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2022.957665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Context The management of behavioral symptoms and rigidity in patients with dementia constitutes a significant challenge. Short-term studies suggest an interest in the use of medical cannabis, but long-term data are lacking. Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate the feasibility and long-term safety of administering tetrahydrocannabinol/cannabidiol (THC/CBD) treatment as an additional drug to a poly medicated population with severe dementia, evaluate clinical improvements, and collect information on the pharmacokinetics of cannabinoids and possible drug-drug interactions. Methods A prospective observational study of patients with severe dementia living in a long-term care home to whom the physicians had prescribed a medical cannabis treatment. Data were collected over 2 years. We assessed the changes in medical cannabis dosages, safety parameters, variations in neuropsychiatric problems, agitation, rigidity, the most invalidating daily activity, and disabling behavior trouble scores. We evaluated the pharmacokinetics of cannabinoids by measuring plasma levels and analyzing the enzymatic activity. Results We assessed 19 patients (81.4 years-17 women and two men) receiving an average of 12.4 mg THC/24.8 mg CBD per day for up to 13 months, with no reported problems related to the treatment and limited adverse drug reactions. Clinical scores showed a marked improvement that was stable over time, deprescription of other medications, and care facilitated. The pharmacokinetic evaluation showed an expected slight reduction in the enzymatic activity of CYP1A2 and CYP2C19. Conclusion A long-term THC/CBD (1:2) medication can be administered safely and with overall positive clinical improvement to poly medicated older adults with severe dementia and associated problems. The results must be confirmed in a randomized trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Pautex
- Palliative Medicine Division, Department of Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Federica Bianchi
- Palliative Medicine Division, Department of Rehabilitation and Geriatrics, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Long-Term Care Home “les Tilleuls”, Fondation pour l’Accueil et l’Hébergement de Personnes Âgées, Geneva, Switzerland
- *Correspondence: Federica Bianchi, ,
| | - Youssef Daali
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Division, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland (ISPSO), University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Marc Augsburger
- Unit of Forensic Toxicology and Chemistry, University Centre of Legal Medicine Lausanne-Geneva, Lausanne University Hospital, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Geneva University Hospital, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Christian de Saussure
- Long-Term Care Home “les Tilleuls”, Fondation pour l’Accueil et l’Hébergement de Personnes Âgées, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - James Wampfler
- Long-Term Care Home “les Tilleuls”, Fondation pour l’Accueil et l’Hébergement de Personnes Âgées, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - François Curtin
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Division, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Jules Desmeules
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Division, Department of Anaesthesiology, Pharmacology, Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Western Switzerland (ISPSO), University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Barbara Broers
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
- Primary Care Division, Geneva University Hospitals, Geneva, Switzerland
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Systematic Review of Dementia Support Programs with Multicultural and Multilingual Populations. Geriatrics (Basel) 2021; 7:geriatrics7010008. [PMID: 35076511 PMCID: PMC8788268 DOI: 10.3390/geriatrics7010008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Dementia care programs have become more common due to a growing number of persons living with dementia and lack of substantial benefit from pharmacologic therapies. Cultural and language differences may present barriers to access and efficacy of these programs. In this article, we aimed to systematically review the current literature regarding outcomes of dementia care programs that included multicultural and non-English speaking populations. Methods: A systematic review was conducted using four scientific search engines. All studies included in the review are English language, randomized control trials evaluating various care coordination models. The initial search strategy focusing on studies specifically targeting multicultural and non-English speaking populations resulted in too few articles. We expanded our search to articles that included these populations although these populations may not have been the focus of the study. Results: Seven articles met inclusion criteria for final review. Measured outcomes included emergency room use, hospitalizations, provider visits, quality of life indicators, depression scores, and caregiver burden. Conclusions: Dementia care programs demonstrate significant ability to provide support and improve outcomes for those living with dementia and their caregivers. There is limited research in this field and thus opportunity for further study in underserved and safety net populations including more high-quality randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes.
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Psychotropic drug use among older people with major neurocognitive disorder: a cross-sectional study based on Swedish national registries. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 2021; 78:477-487. [PMID: 34738182 PMCID: PMC8818624 DOI: 10.1007/s00228-021-03241-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Abstract
AIM Psychotropic medications include many drugs that may be inappropriate for older individuals with cognitive impairment. In Sweden, many people become registered in the Swedish Dementia Registry when they are diagnosed with major neurocognitive disorder (NCD). In this study, we aim to describe psychotropic drug use and associated factors among older Swedish people with major NCD. METHODS This study included 38,251 people ≥ 65 years from the Swedish registry for cognitive/dementia disorders diagnosed during 2007-2017. Drug use was defined as one or more filled prescription(s) recorded in the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register during 1 July to 31 December 2017. Associations between psychotropics and age, sex, diagnosis date, Mini-Mental State Examination score and major NCD subtype were analysed through multiple logistic regression. RESULTS We found that 12.0% of the individuals filled at least one prescription for antipsychotics, 22.0% for anxiolytics, 23.0% for sedatives or hypnotics, 43.2% for antidepressants and 56.7% for antidementia drugs. In brief, psychotropic use was associated with female sex, higher age, longer time since diagnosis and specific subtypes of major NCD; the strongest association was found between antipsychotics and Lewy body dementia (odds ratio 2.40, 95% confidence interval 2.04-2.82). CONCLUSION Psychotropic drugs were frequently dispensed among older Swedish people with major NCD. The use of antipsychotics and medications with sedative properties warrants concern, especially among those with Lewy body dementia who are severely sensitive to antipsychotics. A more restrictive prescribing pattern regarding these medications might reduce the risk of drug-related problems in this vulnerable group of people.
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38
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Fashaw-Walters SA, McCreedy E, Bynum JPW, Thomas KS, Shireman TI. Disproportionate increases in schizophrenia diagnoses among Black nursing home residents with ADRD. J Am Geriatr Soc 2021; 69:3623-3630. [PMID: 34590709 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17464] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Revised: 06/04/2021] [Accepted: 06/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Previous research demonstrated an increase in the reporting of schizophrenia diagnoses among nursing home (NH) residents after the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services National Partnership to Improve Dementia Care. Given known health and healthcare disparities among Black NH residents, we examined how race and Alzheimer's and related dementia (ADRD) status influenced the rate of schizophrenia diagnoses among NH residents following the partnership. METHODS We used a quasi-experimental difference-in-differences design to study the quarterly prevalence of schizophrenia among US long-stay NH residents aged 65 years and older, by Black race and ADRD status. Using 2011-2015 Minimum Data Set 3.0 assessments, our analysis controlled for age, sex, measures of function and frailty (activities of daily living [ADL] and Changes in Health, End-stage disease and Symptoms and Signs scores) and behavioral expressions. RESULTS There were over 1.2 million older long-stay NH residents, annually. Schizophrenia diagnoses were highest among residents with ADRD. Among residents without ADRD, Black residents had higher rates of schizophrenia diagnoses compared to their nonblack counterparts prior to the partnership. Following the partnership, Black residents with ADRD had a significant increase of 1.7% in schizophrenia as compared to nonblack residents with ADRD who had a decrease of 1.7% (p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS Following the partnership, Black NH residents with ADRD were more likely to have a schizophrenia diagnosis documented on their MDS assessments, and schizophrenia rates increased for Black NH residents with ADRD only. Further work is needed to examine the impact of "colorblind" policies such as the partnership and to determine if schizophrenia diagnoses are appropriately applied in NH practice, particularly for black Americans with ADRD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shekinah A Fashaw-Walters
- Division of Health Policy & Management, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.,Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Ellen McCreedy
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Julie P W Bynum
- Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA.,Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Kali S Thomas
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Center of Innovation in Long-Term Services and Supports, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Theresa I Shireman
- Center for Gerontology and Healthcare Research, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA.,Department of Health Services, Policy, and Practice, School of Public Health, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
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Yilmaz CK, Aşiret GD. The Effect of Doll Therapy on Agitation and Cognitive State in Institutionalized Patients With Moderate-to-Severe Dementia: A Randomized Controlled Study. J Geriatr Psychiatry Neurol 2021; 34:370-377. [PMID: 32552299 DOI: 10.1177/0891988720933353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT04120103 Retrospectively registered on 8 April 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cemile Kütmeç Yilmaz
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Science, 175169Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey
| | - Güler Duru Aşiret
- Nursing Department, Faculty of Health Science, 175169Aksaray University, Aksaray, Turkey
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40
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Cibeira N, Maseda A, Lorenzo-López L, González-Abraldes I, López-López R, Rodríguez-Villamil JL, Millán-Calenti JC. Bright Light Therapy in Older Adults with Moderate to Very Severe Dementia: Immediate Effects on Behavior, Mood, and Physiological Parameters. Healthcare (Basel) 2021; 9:healthcare9081065. [PMID: 34442202 PMCID: PMC8394855 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare9081065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bright light therapy (BLT) has demonstrated positive short- and long-term effects in people with cognitive impairment or dementia; however, the immediate impact of BLT sessions has been scarcely investigated. In this study, we aimed to explore the immediate effects of BLT on behavior, mood, and physiological parameters (oxygen saturation/heart rate) in a sample of institutionalized older adults with moderate to very severe dementia, with a median age of 85.0 (interquartile range, IQR, 82.0–90.0), being higher in men (87.0 years, IQR 80.0–94.0) than in women (84.5 years, IQR 82.0–89.5). The BLT protocol consisted of 30-min morning sessions of 10,000 lux, Monday through Friday, for 4 weeks. The physiological parameters were recorded immediately before and after each session by pulse oximetry. Mood and behavior were assessed before, after, and during the sessions using the Interact scale. Post-session Interact scores showed a significant decrease in the items Tearful/sad and Talked spontaneously, and a significant increase in the items Enjoying self, active or alert, and Relaxed, content or sleeping appropriately. Interact scores during the sessions reflected a significant decrease in the speech-related items. Both physiological parameters changed positively from before to after sessions. Our results suggest that BLT provides immediate positive effects on mood, stimulation level, and physiological parameters, as well as a trend toward decreased speech. More robust research is needed to further explore the immediate impact of BLT. This study is registered with Clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04949984).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana Maseda
- Correspondence: (A.M.); (J.C.M.-C.); Tel.: +34-881-01-58-65 (J.C.M.-C.)
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Kobayashi M, Honda M. The effect of a multimodal comprehensive care methodology for family caregivers of people with dementia. BMC Geriatr 2021; 21:434. [PMID: 34294036 PMCID: PMC8296621 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-021-02373-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Caregivers experience social, physical and psychological burdens in caring for people with dementia. A study was conducted to assess the efficacy of a multimodal comprehensive care methodology training programme for the family caregivers of people with dementia. Methods This research was an intervention trial with a quasi-experimental design. A total of 148 family caregivers of people with dementia participated in a multimodal comprehensive care methodology training programme for 6 hours (three times for 2 hours) in 3 months, which was followed by weekly delivery of information via postcard. The care burden of the caregivers was evaluated by the Japanese short version of the Zarit Burden Interview (J-ZBI) before the training, 1 month post-training and 3 months post-training (primary outcome). Each caregiver assessed the symptoms of the people with dementia for whom they provided care with the Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer’s Disease (Behave-AD) (secondary outcome). Results A total of 117 family caregivers (79%) were assessed 3 months after training. Over the course of the programme, the care burden significantly decreased from pre-training to 3 months post-training (P < 0.001). The mean care burden scores before, 1 month after, and 3 months after the intervention were 13.3, 10.9 and 10.6, respectively. The mean Behave-AD score of 101 people with dementia (68%) 3 months post-training was lower than that at pre-training, but the difference was not statistically significant (from 13.6 to 11.8, P = 0.005). Conclusions The multimodal comprehensive care methodology training was associated with a reduction in the care burden of family caregivers. These findings suggest that randomized controlled trials with larger sample sizes are needed. Trial registration UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR), UMIN000043245. Registered 4 February 2021 – Retrospectively registered
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Affiliation(s)
- Masaki Kobayashi
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, 2-5-1, Higashigaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8902, Japan.
| | - Miwako Honda
- Department of Geriatric Medicine, National Hospital Organization Tokyo Medical Center, 2-5-1, Higashigaoka, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8902, Japan
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Groot Kormelinck CM, van Teunenbroek CF, Zuidema SU, Smalbrugge M, Gerritsen DL. Process evaluation of a tailored intervention to Reduce Inappropriate psychotropic Drug use in nursing home residents with dementia. BMC Geriatr 2021; 21:414. [PMID: 34217230 PMCID: PMC8254904 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-021-02357-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research suggests that collaborative and tailored approaches with external expertise are important to process implementations. We therefore performed a process evaluation of an intervention using participatory action research, tailored information provision, and external coaching to reduce inappropriate psychotropic drug use among nursing home residents with dementia. The process evaluation was conducted alongside a randomized controlled trial assessing the utility of this approach. METHODS We used Leontjevas' model of process evaluation to guide data collection and analysis, focusing on the relevance and feasibility, extent of performance, and barriers and facilitators to implementation. Data on the relevance and feasibility and on the extent of performance were collected using a questionnaire targeting internal project leaders at nursing homes and our external coaches. Implementation barriers and facilitators were identified by individual semi-structured interviews. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research was used to structure and describe the identified barriers and facilitators. RESULTS The intervention was viewed positively, but it was also considered time consuming due to the involvement of many people and designing a tailored action and implementation plan was viewed as complex. The extent of performance differed between nursing homes. Delays in implementation and suboptimal execution of actions may have reduced effectiveness of the RID intervention in some nursing homes. Barriers to implementation were reorganizations, staff turnover, communication issues, unclear expectations, and perceived time pressures. Implementation also depended on the involvement and skills of key stakeholders, and organizations' readiness to change. Although external coaches stimulated implementation, their additional value was rated variably across organizations. CONCLUSIONS Barriers to implementation occurred on several levels and some barriers appear to be inherent to the nursing home environment and could be points of leverage of future implementation trajectories. This underlines the importance of assessing and supporting organizations in their readiness to change. Sensitivity analyses, taking into account the week in which nursing homes started with implementation and the degree to which actions were implemented as intended, will be appropriate in the effect analyses of the trial.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia M. Groot Kormelinck
- Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, HPC FA21, P.O. Box 253, 9700 AD Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Charlotte F. van Teunenbroek
- Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, HPC FA21, P.O. Box 253, 9700 AD Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sytse U. Zuidema
- Department of General Practice and Elderly Care Medicine, University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, HPC FA21, P.O. Box 253, 9700 AD Groningen, the Netherlands
| | - Martin Smalbrugge
- Department of medicine for older people, Amsterdam Public Health research institute, Amsterdam UMC - Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Debby L. Gerritsen
- Department of Primary and Community Care, Radboud University Medical Center, Radboud Institute for Health Sciences, Radboudumc Alzheimer Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
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Bayram S, Altınbaş Akkaş Ö, Usta E. Effect of acupressure on agitation in the elderly with dementia who receive institutional care: A pilot study. Perspect Psychiatr Care 2021; 57:980-988. [PMID: 33044041 DOI: 10.1111/ppc.12642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This pilot study was carried out to determine the effect of acupressure on agitation in the elderly with dementia who receive institutional care. METHODS The study sample consisted of 38 elderly individuals (acupressure group [AG] = 19, usual-care group = 19). Acupressure application was performed on four points. The results were measured at the beginning (T0 ), the week after acupressure was completed (T1 ), and 2 weeks after acupressure was completed (T2 ). FINDINGS The change in the total Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory score across the groups at T1 , T2 , and T3 was statistically significant in favor of AG. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS The acupressure used in this study can be used for managing agitation in the elderly with dementia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serap Bayram
- Department of Health Care Services, Vocational School of Health Services, Düzce University, Düzce, Turkey
| | - Özlem Altınbaş Akkaş
- Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Düzce University, Düzce, Turkey
| | - Esra Usta
- Department of Health Care Services, Vocational School of Health Services, Düzce University, Düzce, Turkey
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Winter JD, Kerns JW, Winter KM, Richards A, Sabo RT. Unreported Antipsychotic Use Increasing in Nursing Homes: The Impact of Quality-Measure Exclusions on the Percentage of Long-Stay Residents Who Got an Antipsychotic Medication Quality-Measure. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 2021; 29:704-708. [PMID: 33298360 DOI: 10.1016/j.jagp.2020.11.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2017] [Revised: 11/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/21/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Excluded from reporting to CMS's Percentage of long-stay residents who got an antipsychotic medication quality-measure are antipsychotics prescribed to nursing home patients with schizophrenia, Tourette's, or Huntington's. Over the 4 years following its 2012 debut, the quality-measure calculated a 27% reduction in inappropriate antipsychotic use but also an 18.3% increase in exclusion claims. This study evaluated the impact of these exclusions on the measure's findings. METHODS Claims data for the years 2011-2016 retrospectively identified the prevalence of schizophrenia, Tourette's, and Huntington's in quarterly cohorts of Virginia long-stay residents prescribed antipsychotics. Annualized diagnoses in 2011 were compared with subsequent years using simple logistic regression. RESULTS In 2016, 29% of the antipsychotics prescribed in Virginia nursing homes were to residents with diagnoses of schizophrenia, Tourette's, and Huntington's, a significant 32% increase from 2011. CONCLUSION Almost 30% of the antipsychotics employed in Virginia nursing homes are excluded from CMS's long-stay antipsychotic quality-measure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D Winter
- VCU-Shenandoah Family Practice Residency (JDW, JWK, KMW), Front Royal, VA; Department Biostatistics, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health (JDW, JWK, AR, RTS), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.
| | - John William Kerns
- VCU-Shenandoah Family Practice Residency (JDW, JWK, KMW), Front Royal, VA; Department Biostatistics, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health (JDW, JWK, AR, RTS), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Katherine M Winter
- VCU-Shenandoah Family Practice Residency (JDW, JWK, KMW), Front Royal, VA
| | - Alicia Richards
- Department Biostatistics, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health (JDW, JWK, AR, RTS), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
| | - Roy T Sabo
- Department Biostatistics, Department of Family Medicine and Population Health (JDW, JWK, AR, RTS), Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA
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Growdon ME, Gan S, Yaffe K, Steinman MA. Polypharmacy among older adults with dementia compared with those without dementia in the United States. J Am Geriatr Soc 2021; 69:2464-2475. [PMID: 34101822 DOI: 10.1111/jgs.17291] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/12/2021] [Revised: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES In older persons with dementia (PWD), extensive medication use is often unnecessary, discordant with goals of care, and possibly harmful. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and medication constituents of polypharmacy among older PWD attending outpatient visits in the United States. DESIGN Cross-sectional analysis. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS PWD and persons without dementia (PWOD) aged ≥65 years attending outpatient visits recorded in the nationally representative National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NAMCS), 2014-2016. MEASUREMENTS PWD were identified as those with a diagnosis of dementia on the NAMCS encounter form and/or those receiving an anti-dementia medication. Visits with PWD and PWOD were compared in terms of sociodemographic, practice/physician factors, comorbidities, and prescribing outcomes. Regression analyses examined the effect of dementia diagnosis on contributions by clinically relevant medication categories to polypharmacy (defined as being prescribed ≥5 prescription and/or nonprescription medications). RESULTS The unweighted sample involved 918 visits for PWD and 26,543 visits for PWOD, representing 29.0 and 780 million outpatient visits. PWD had a median age of 81 and on average had 2.8 comorbidities other than dementia; 63% were female. The median number of medications in PWD was eight compared with three in PWOD (p < 0.001). After adjustment, PWD had significantly higher odds of being prescribed ≥5 medications (AOR 3.0; 95% CI: 2.1-4.3) or ≥10 medications (AOR 2.8; 95% CI: 2.0-4.2) compared with PWOD. The largest sources of medications among PWD were cardiovascular and central nervous system medications; usage from other categories was generally elevated in PWD compared with PWOD. PWD had higher odds of receiving at least one highly sedating or anticholinergic medication (AOR 2.5; 95% CI: 1.6-3.9). CONCLUSION In a representative sample of outpatient visits, polypharmacy was extremely common among PWD, driven by a wide array of medication categories. Addressing polypharmacy in PWD will require cross-cutting and multidisciplinary approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew E Growdon
- Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.,San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Siqi Gan
- Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.,San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Kristine Yaffe
- San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA.,Departments of Neurology, Psychiatry, and Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Michael A Steinman
- Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA.,San Francisco VA Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA
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Rashid N, Abler V, Andes S, Citrome L. Real-World Medication Treatment Patterns for Long-Term Care Residents with Dementia-Related Psychosis. Gerontol Geriatr Med 2021; 7:23337214211016565. [PMID: 34104683 PMCID: PMC8172951 DOI: 10.1177/23337214211016565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Objectives: This study evaluated treatment patterns and factors associated with medication treatment changes in residents with dementia-related psychosis in a long-term care (LTC) setting. Methods: A retrospective database cohort study was conducted using the national PharMerica® database and included dementia residents with or without incident psychosis. Treatment patterns were assessed and a multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with any treatment change (discontinuation, switch, or sporadic use) in dementia-related psychosis therapy. Results: Among 11,921 residents with incident dementia-related psychosis, 11,246 (94.3%) were prescribed ≥1 index medication to treat psychosis, including 77.3% who received ≥1 typical or atypical antipsychotic. Treatment change was evaluated during the post-index period: 38.7% of residents with dementia-related psychosis discontinued treatment, 13.9% switched treatments, and 7.9% had sporadic use. Factors associated with treatment change were age ≥65 years, Medicare insurance, and comorbid conditions (anemia, coronary heart disease, diabetes, falls, depression, hypertension, or hyperlipidemia) during the pre-index period. Discussion: Approximately 60% of dementia-related psychosis LTC residents experienced a medication treatment change. This treatment change was associated with higher age and higher comorbidities. Medications that treat symptoms of dementia-related psychosis without adding to safety concerns are needed to facilitate long-term, consistent treatment.
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Abstract
The prevalence of cannabis use among older adults (aged 65 and above) for both recreational and medicinal purposes has significantly increased in recent years. Information regarding the safety of cannabis in this population is important since aging is associated with metabolic changes, multiple morbidities, increases in prescription medication use, and an overall decline in functioning. In this Perspectives article, we review special considerations pertinent to older adults-specifically, the impact of cannabis on cognition and on falls and injuries, its drug interactions, and its potential medicinal applications for treating the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. Knowledge about the role of cannabis in brain health, injury risk, and drug interactions remains limited since the available evidence stems primarily from adolescent and young adult cohorts, plus a limited number of small observational studies with older adults. In terms of utilizing certain cannabinoids to treat the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, some studies have found promising results, but because of the lack of consistency in the literature, it is premature to draw conclusions. Controlled research trials specifically with geriatric participants are needed to understand the effects of cannabis use in this vulnerable population.
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Muñiz R, López-Alvarez J, Agüera-Ortiz L, Perea L, Olazarán J. Syndrome-Based Prescription to Optimize Psychotropics: Are CHROME Criteria a Game Changer? Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:662228. [PMID: 33967863 PMCID: PMC8101684 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.662228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/29/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A variety of medical and social factors have contributed over the last decades to the overuse of psychotropic drugs in people with dementia. One social factor is probably the frequent failure to provide adequate person-centered care, be it in the community or in institutional settings. This unfortunate reality has been reacted upon with numerous guidelines to reduce prescriptions of the most dangerous drugs (e.g., neuroleptics). Each psychotropic drug prescription can in principle be assessed around three dimensions: (a) adequate, (b) inadequate, and (c) chemical restraint. The CHemical Restraints avOidance MEthodology (CHROME) defined chemical restraint as any prescription based on organizational convenience, rather than justified with medical diagnosis. Two validation studies revealed that one of the main medical reasons of over- and miss-prescriptions was symptom-based prescription. By switching to syndrome-based prescription, a large proportion of drugs could be de-prescribed and some re-adjusted or kept. Paucity of research and weakness of data are not conclusive about the adequacy of specific drugs for the myriad of cases presented by patients with dementia and comorbid conditions. Clinical practice, however, leads us to believe that even under optimal care conditions, psychotropics might still contribute to quality of life if based on an adequate diagnosis. This article explains the rationale that underlies a syndromic approach aimed at optimizing psychotropic treatment in people with dementia whose significant suffering derives from their thought, affective, or behavioral problems. The results of previous validation studies of this new methodology will be discussed and conclusions for future results will be drawn.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jorge López-Alvarez
- Maria Wolff Foundation, Madrid, Spain
- Servicio de Psiquiatría, Instituto de Investigación i+12, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Agüera-Ortiz
- Servicio de Psiquiatría, Instituto de Investigación i+12, Hospital Universitario 12 de Octubre, Madrid, Spain
- CIBERSAM, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Perea
- Albertia Servicios Sociosanitarios, Madrid, Spain
| | - Javier Olazarán
- Maria Wolff Foundation, Madrid, Spain
- Memory Disorders Clinic, HM Hospitals, Madrid, Spain
- Neurology Service, University Hospital Gregorio Marañón, Madrid, Spain
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Lin CH, Chen PK, Wang SH, Lane HY. Effect of Sodium Benzoate on Cognitive Function Among Patients With Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Netw Open 2021; 4:e216156. [PMID: 33881530 PMCID: PMC8060832 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.6156] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
IMPORTANCE Female gender is a major risk factor for dementia; however, gender has not yet been adequately addressed by clinical trials. A recent study demonstrated that sodium benzoate, a D-amino acid oxidase inhibitor, improved cognitive function in early-phase Alzheimer disease. OBJECTIVE To examine the potential gender difference in the effects of benzoate treatment on the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This post hoc secondary analysis used data from a randomized, double-masked, placebo-controlled trial conducted in 3 major medical centers in Taiwan and enrolled 97 patients with BPSD. Data were analyzed between February 2014 and November 2017. INTERVENTIONS Six weeks of treatment of 250 to 1500 mg/d of sodium benzoate or placebo. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The primary outcome measures were Alzheimer disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog) and Behavioral Pathology in Alzheimer Disease Rating Scale (BEHAVE-AD) scores. RESULTS Among 97 total participants (62 [64%] women; mean [SD] age, 75.4 [7.7] years), 49 patients (30 women and 19 men) were randomized to sodium benzoate, and 48 (32 women and 16 men) were randomized to placebo. Among 62 women, 6-week benzoate treatment significantly surpassed placebo in the effects on ADAS-cog performance (mean [SD] difference in score between baseline and end point, -3.1 [6.4] points vs 0 [4.5] points; Cohen d = 0.56; P = .04) but not BEHAVE-AD performance. In contrast, among 35 men, the 2 treatment groups did not differ significantly in both ADAS-cog and BEHAVE-AD scores. Compared with placebo, benzoate treatment also increased estradiol to follicle-stimulating hormone ratios among women (mean [SD] difference between baseline and end point, 0 [0.2] vs -0.1 [0.3]; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE These findings suggest that benzoate treatment may improve cognitive function in women with later-phase dementia. In the future, longer dose-finding trials are warranted to further clarify the efficacy of benzoate for later-phase dementia and investigate the role of sex hormones and other factors in the pathogenesis of dementia. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02103673.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chieh-Hsin Lin
- Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- School of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Ping-Kun Chen
- School of Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Shi-Heng Wang
- Department of Occupational Safety and Health, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Hsien-Yuan Lane
- Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Psychiatry & Brain Disease Research Center, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
- Department of Psychology, College of Medical and Health Sciences, Asia University, Taichung, Taiwan
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Joling KJ, Koppel MT, van Hout HP, Onwuteaka‐Philipsen BD, Francke AL, Verheij RA, Twisk JW, van Marum RJ. Psychotropic drug prescription rates in primary care for people with dementia from recorded diagnosis onwards. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2021; 36:443-451. [PMID: 33022804 PMCID: PMC7894336 DOI: 10.1002/gps.5442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Psychotropic drugs are frequently prescribed to people with dementia in nursing homes although severe adverse events and side effects are common. Less is known about the prevalence and types of psychotropic drug prescription in primary care for people with dementia. OBJECTIVE This study examined the prevalence of psychotropic drug prescriptions in primary care among persons with dementia from the year of diagnosis onwards. METHODS A longitudinal observational study using electronic health record (EHR) data was conducted. People with dementia were selected from EHR data of 451 general practices in the Netherlands. Age and gender-adjusted psychotropic drug prescription rates were calculated per 1000 person-years from the year the dementia diagnosis was first recorded in general practice up to 8 years after diagnosis. RESULTS Data of 15,687 patients were analyzed. The prescription rate of psychotropic drugs (not including antidementia drugs) was 420 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 409; 431) in the first year after the recorded dementia diagnosis, which increased to 801 per 1000 person-years (95% CI 649; 989) in the eighth year. The most frequently prescribed drugs were antidepressants, antipsychotics, and antidementia drugs, followed by anxiolytics, hypnotics, and antiepileptics. CONCLUSIONS After a dementia diagnosis is recorded in general practice, the prevalence of psychotropic drug prescriptions is substantial and increases steadily during the disease trajectory of persons with dementia. Although the (in)appropriateness of prescribing was not assessed, these insights may stimulate primary care clinicians to (re)consider their prescription policy of psychotropics for people with dementia more carefully.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karlijn J. Joling
- Department of General Practice and Elderly Care MedicineAmsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdam Public Health Research InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Maud ten Koppel
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Expertise Center for Palliative CareAmsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdam Public Health Research InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Hein P.J. van Hout
- Department of General Practice and Elderly Care MedicineAmsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdam Public Health Research InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Bregje D. Onwuteaka‐Philipsen
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Expertise Center for Palliative CareAmsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdam Public Health Research InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Anneke L. Francke
- Department of Public and Occupational Health, Expertise Center for Palliative CareAmsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdam Public Health Research InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands,Nivel. Netherlands Institute for Health Services ResearchUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Robert A. Verheij
- Nivel. Netherlands Institute for Health Services ResearchUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Jos W.R. Twisk
- Department of Epidemiology and BiostatisticsAmsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdam Public Health Research InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands
| | - Rob J. van Marum
- Department of General Practice and Elderly Care MedicineAmsterdam UMCVrije Universiteit AmsterdamAmsterdam Public Health Research InstituteAmsterdamThe Netherlands,Geriatric DepartmentJeroen Bosch Hospital‘s‐HertogenboschThe Netherlands
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