학술논문
Demographics, Symptoms, Psychotropic Use, and Caregiver Distress in Patients with Early vs Late Onset Dementia
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Abstract
BackgroundUnderstanding experiences and challenges faced by persons living with Early-Onset Dementia (EOD) compared to individuals diagnosed with Late-Onset Dementia (LOD) is important for the development of targeted interventions.ObjectiveDescribe differences in sociodemographic, neuropsychiatric behavioral symptoms, caregiver characteristics, and psychotropic use.Design, setting, participantsCross-sectional, retrospective study including 908 UCLA Alzheimer's Dementia Care Program participants (177 with EOD and 731 with LOD).MeasurementsOnset of dementia was determined using age at program enrollment, with EOD defined as age 80 years. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics were measured once at enrollment. Behavioral symptoms were measured using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) severity score and caregiver distress was measured using the NPI-Q distress score. Medications included antipsychotic, antidepressant, benzodiazepines and other hypnotics, antiepileptics, and dementia medications.ResultsEOD compared to LOD participants were more likely men, college graduates, married, live alone, and have fewer comorbidities. EOD caregivers were more often spouses (56% vs 26%, p