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Prevalence of Lewy body dementia and neuroleptic treatment in nursing homes in Malmö, Sweden.

Zahirovic, Iris LU ; Wattmo, Carina LU ; Minthon, Lennart LU and Londos, Elisabet LU (2014) Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), 2014
Abstract
Background: Lewy body Dementia (LBD) is a well-known neurocognitive disorder in the elderly. The hallmarks of LBD are Parkinsonism without tremor, recurrent and persistent visual hallucinations often with insight, fluctuating cognition and alertness, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder with vivid dreams and violent movements, but relatively preserved memory functions. Nevertheless, LBD is often misdiagnosed and under-recognized. A diagnosis of LBD is important because of the risk of hypersensitivity for neuroleptic drugs. Moreover, appropriate treatment of symptoms can improve quality of life considerably for both the individual with LBD and their caregivers. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of possible LBD and... (More)
Background: Lewy body Dementia (LBD) is a well-known neurocognitive disorder in the elderly. The hallmarks of LBD are Parkinsonism without tremor, recurrent and persistent visual hallucinations often with insight, fluctuating cognition and alertness, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder with vivid dreams and violent movements, but relatively preserved memory functions. Nevertheless, LBD is often misdiagnosed and under-recognized. A diagnosis of LBD is important because of the risk of hypersensitivity for neuroleptic drugs. Moreover, appropriate treatment of symptoms can improve quality of life considerably for both the individual with LBD and their caregivers. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of possible LBD and neuroleptic treatment in elderly care recipients in nursing homes. Methods: Information regarding prevalence of symptoms of LBD and concurrent medication in 644 elderly living in nursing homes in Malmö, Sweden during the time period 2012-13 was collected. We used a questionnaire, medical journals and interviewed the nursing staff. In the questionnaire, symptoms representing the 4 LBD main characteristics were noted as present/absent; Parkinsonism, visual hallucinations, excessive daytime sleepiness, acting out dreams. Neuroleptic treatment was also noted as present or not, as well as the type of drug. Results: In total, 27.3% had_2 of 4 LBD symptoms. 7.1% had 3, and 3.0% had 4 of these symptoms. Visual hallucinations were observed in 20% and REM sleep behaviour disorder in 9% of the patients. Neuroleptic treatment increased significantly (p<0.001) with increasing number of LBD symptoms. In individuals with no symptoms 12.8%, 1 symptom 24.7%, 2 symptoms 26.9%, 3 symptoms 28.9%, and 4 symptoms 42.1% were treated with neuroleptics. Nine percent of the neuroleptics prescribed were of acceptable type (klozapin, quetiapin). Conclusions: Symptoms consistent with LBD are common in elderly in nursing homes. Despite the recommendations of avoiding neuroleptic treatment this was a common finding among the studied individuals. To minimize inappropriate medical treatment recognizing symptoms of LBD are important for general practitioners. (Less)
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author
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organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to conference
publication status
published
subject
conference name
Alzheimer’s Association International Conference (AAIC), 2014
conference location
Copenhagen, Denmark
conference dates
2014-07-12 - 2014-07-17
DOI
10.1016/j.jalz.2014.05.1224
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
3d1681af-6dbf-4d33-b800-95765fd864c2 (old id 4861701)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 14:00:39
date last changed
2020-06-11 16:02:06
@misc{3d1681af-6dbf-4d33-b800-95765fd864c2,
  abstract     = {{Background: Lewy body Dementia (LBD) is a well-known neurocognitive disorder in the elderly. The hallmarks of LBD are Parkinsonism without tremor, recurrent and persistent visual hallucinations often with insight, fluctuating cognition and alertness, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep behavior disorder with vivid dreams and violent movements, but relatively preserved memory functions. Nevertheless, LBD is often misdiagnosed and under-recognized. A diagnosis of LBD is important because of the risk of hypersensitivity for neuroleptic drugs. Moreover, appropriate treatment of symptoms can improve quality of life considerably for both the individual with LBD and their caregivers. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of possible LBD and neuroleptic treatment in elderly care recipients in nursing homes. Methods: Information regarding prevalence of symptoms of LBD and concurrent medication in 644 elderly living in nursing homes in Malmö, Sweden during the time period 2012-13 was collected. We used a questionnaire, medical journals and interviewed the nursing staff. In the questionnaire, symptoms representing the 4 LBD main characteristics were noted as present/absent; Parkinsonism, visual hallucinations, excessive daytime sleepiness, acting out dreams. Neuroleptic treatment was also noted as present or not, as well as the type of drug. Results: In total, 27.3% had_2 of 4 LBD symptoms. 7.1% had 3, and 3.0% had 4 of these symptoms. Visual hallucinations were observed in 20% and REM sleep behaviour disorder in 9% of the patients. Neuroleptic treatment increased significantly (p&lt;0.001) with increasing number of LBD symptoms. In individuals with no symptoms 12.8%, 1 symptom 24.7%, 2 symptoms 26.9%, 3 symptoms 28.9%, and 4 symptoms 42.1% were treated with neuroleptics. Nine percent of the neuroleptics prescribed were of acceptable type (klozapin, quetiapin). Conclusions: Symptoms consistent with LBD are common in elderly in nursing homes. Despite the recommendations of avoiding neuroleptic treatment this was a common finding among the studied individuals. To minimize inappropriate medical treatment recognizing symptoms of LBD are important for general practitioners.}},
  author       = {{Zahirovic, Iris and Wattmo, Carina and Minthon, Lennart and Londos, Elisabet}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  title        = {{Prevalence of Lewy body dementia and neuroleptic treatment in nursing homes in Malmö, Sweden.}},
  url          = {{https://lup.lub.lu.se/search/files/29020903/Poster_IrisZahirovic_AAIC_2014.pdf}},
  doi          = {{10.1016/j.jalz.2014.05.1224}},
  year         = {{2014}},
}