Characteristics of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms by Dementia Stage: Evaluated by the Korean Version of Neuropsychiatric Inventory

Oh, Byoung Hoon; Cha, Kyung Ryeol; Hong, Chang Hyung; Kim, Ji Hye

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to compare the behavioral psychological symptoms of dementia by stages and to suggest the proper management treatment plan.
METHODS
We examined behaviral psychological symptoms in 17 dementia patients with mild stage (CDR=0.5, 1), 18 dementia patients with moderate stage (CDR=2) and 24 dementia patients with severe stage (CDR=3, 4). We compared the prevalence and the composite scores (frequency X severity) of each behavioral domain in K-NPI among three groups. The MMSE-K, GDS, Barthel ADL were also administrated to evaluate the general cognitive function, severity of the patients and activity of daily living.
RESULTS
The most common behavioral disturbances were apathy/indifference, depression/dysphoria, and aberrant motor behavior. The mean composite score of aberrant motor behavior increased by stages of dementia severity with statistical significance. The total score of the K-NPI increased with severer stages of dementia the result didn't show statistical significance. The K-NPI score showed the positive correlation with CDR, GDS and the negative correlation with MMSE-K, B-ADL. But, there was no statistically significant correlation.
CONCLUSION
Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) change by the stages of dementia. The practical guideline for BPSD management according to dementia stage is needed. Re-evaluation and new therapeutic inter-vention must be considered by the stages of dementia.