Dementia in Taiwan: past, present, and future

The percentage of Taiwanese aged 65 years and older has been increasing over the past 27 years, from 4.1% in 1980 to 10.2% in 2007. Studies on the Taiwan population have shown that the prevalence of dementia is approximately 1.7 - 4.3% among aged people, and that the most common cause of dementia is Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, compared to Western countries, this is a low prevalence rate, which might be due to the simple lifestyle led by aged Taiwanese, a selective higher mortality rate in Taiwanese, and a low prevalence of the APOE4 allele in Taiwanese. The current evaluation of dementia in Taiwan derives from several reliable and valid cognitive and behavioral assessment tools originally developed in Western countries. These tools are not only useful for clinical evaluation, but also have offered a method for possible cross-cultural assessment. Behavioral and psychiatric symptoms of dementia in Taiwan have been shown to be similar to other ethnic groups, except for a relative high prevalence of apathy. Although three cholinesterase inhibitors and one glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist are available in Taiwan to treat dementia, their insurance reimbursement is strictly regulated and only a small proportion of patients with AD receive medical treatment. A local consensus of and guideline for diagnosis and treatment of dementia is needed in Taiwan.     

A 1-year follow-up study of behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia among people in care environments

BACKGROUND: Behavioral and psychological symptoms in dementia (BPSD) are common and distressing for patients and caregivers, but little is known about the natural history of these symptoms, particularly among patients in care facilities. This information is essential for informed clinical management. We report a 1-year follow-up study of the prevalence, incidence, and outcome of the 3 main BPSD (agitation, depression, and psychosis) in care facilities. METHOD: 136 elderly residents with dementia (29% living in social care facilities and 71% in nursing home care) were assessed longitudinally on 2 occasions a year apart using a range of standardized psychiatric schedules, including the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of BPSD was stable over the year (76% at baseline and 82% at follow-up). Subjects with subclinical symptoms at baseline were more likely to develop clinically significant BPSD during follow-up than those who were symptom free (83% vs. 52%; Mann-Whitney U test, z = 2.36, p = .01). Agitation was the most common individual syndrome (55%). Although overall BPSD were persistent, > or = 45% of dementia patients with any of the major syndromes experienced resolution, indicating the development of different BPSD in many residents. There was no evidence that residents taking neuroleptics were more likely to experience resolution of BPSD than neuroleptic-free residents. CONCLUSION: BPSD are highly frequent and persistent among residents of care facilities with dementia. This emphasizes the need for ongoing treatment trials. The pattern of resolution with the development of new symptoms indicates that short focused periods of treatment may be a more effective management approach. In addition, the potential value in treating patients with subclinical BPSD to prevent the development of full-blown syndromes needs to be investigated.     

New therapeutic strategies for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia]

Interventional studies, with the aim of reducing the burden of care through drug or non-drug therapies of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), have been scarce. However, we are now able to do pharmacological management for BPSD with new drugs such as atypical neuroleptics, SSRIs, and cholinesterase inhibitors. Delusions of theft are one of the most frequently observed BPSD in patients with AD. In addition, the delusions and ensuing aggression and anxiety are major factors that increase the burden of caregivers. Delusions of theft in patients with AD were eliminated or reduced with low-dose atypical neuroleptics (risperidone). This significantly reduced the burden of care overall for caregivers. New therapeutic strategies such as cholinesterase inhibitors for visual hallucinations in DLB and SSRIs for overeating and stereotyped behavior in FTLD might also remarkably reduce the burden of care for these patients. For many dementia patients, there are still no drugs that offer a principal cure. It is, therefore, important to evaluate their BPSD correctly at the earliest possible time, so that the burden of caring can be reduced through appropriate drug treatment. This reduction is critical for the continuation of satisfactory at-home care and might contribute to the health economics.     

Neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia: cross-sectional analysis from a prospective, longitudinal Belgian study

OBJECTIVE: Given the rather limited knowledge on profiles of neuropsychiatric symptoms (behavioural and psychological signs and symptoms of dementia, BPSD) in several degenerative dementias, we designed a prospective study of which we here present the baseline data. METHODS: Diagnosed according to strictly applied clinical diagnostic criteria, patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) (n = 205), frontotemporal dementia (FTD) (n = 29), mixed dementia (MXD) (n = 39) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) (n = 23) were included. All patients underwent a neuropsychological examination and behavioural assessment by means of a battery of scales (Middelheim Frontality Score (MFS), Behave-AD, Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory, Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia). RESULTS: In AD and MXD, activity disturbances and aggressiveness occurred in more than 80% of the patients. With a prevalence of 70%, apathy was very common whereas delusions and hallucinations were rare in FTD patients. Frequently used behavioural assessment scales like the Behave-AD systematically underestimated BPSD in FTD whereas the MFS displayed high sensitivity for frontal lobe symptoms. Hallucinations discriminated DLB patients from other dementias. A high prevalence of disinhibition (65%) in DLB pointed to frontal lobe involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Behavioural assessment may help differentiating between different forms of dementia, further stressing the need for the development of new and more sensitive behavioural assessment scales. By means of the MFS, frontal lobe involvement was frequently observed in DLB. As 70% of FTD patients displayed apathy, prevalence was about two times higher compared to the other disease groups, meanwhile indicating that apathy is frequently observed in dementia, irrespective of its etiology.     

农村老年痴呆患者精神行为症状及相关因素调查

目的:探讨农村老年痴呆患者精神行为症状(BPSD)的特点及其相关因素。方法:应用阿尔茨海默病病理行为评分量表对77例上海青浦区农村地区老年痴呆患者的病理性行为进行评定,并分析其相关因素。结果:老年痴呆患者BPSD发生率为89.6%,其中以行为紊乱、攻击性行为、日夜节律紊乱和偏执与妄想多见。BPSD与性别、年龄、文化程度和病程无相关,轻、中度痴呆患者偏执和妄想症状较重度明显,阿尔茨海默病和血管性痴呆BPSD相似。结论:农村老年痴呆患者BPSD发生率较高。     

Psychiatric morbidity in dementia patients in a neurology-based memory clinic

The behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) often present major problems for patients and their caregivers. In the past, neurologists paid less attention to such symptoms than to the cognitive symptoms of dementia. This prospective study investigated the prevalence of psychiatric morbidity in a neurology-based memory clinic and the stress of caregivers. Our patients with dementia were found to have a high prevalence of BPSD. The most frequent were anxiety, apathy, and delusion; the most distressing to caregivers were agitation, anxiety, delusion, and sleep disturbance. Using Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), we compared BPSD between patients with mild dementia and those with moderate dementia. Only hallucinations and agitation were different significantly. Moderate dementia patients experienced these symptoms more frequently. The high prevalence of these symptoms might be explained by the fact that the cognitive symptoms were neglected or no enough information were received by many family members of patients with dementia until their own life quality was interfered and then they began to seek medical help. These symptoms and their effect of caregiver distress can be effectively reduced by pharmacologic and nonpharmacoloic managements, caregiver-focused training and education. They can be better approached by assessing neuropsychiatric symptoms regularly, educating the general population better, and treating these patients earlier.     

Guidelines for the medical treatment of patients with Alzheimer's disease

The prevalence of dementia is approximately 1.7 - 4.3% among aged people in Taiwan, and Alzheimer disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. Although three cholinesterase inhibitors and one glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist are available in Taiwan to treat dementia, their insurance reimbursement is strictly regulated and only a small proportion of patients with AD receive medical treatment. A local consensus of and guideline for treatment of dementia is needed in Taiwan. Therefore, the Guideline Subcommittee of the Taiwan Dementia Society summarized the data of cholinesterase inhibitors and glutamate NMDA receptor antagonist for treatment of the patients with AD according to the principles of evidence- based medicine. We have assessed the qualities of studies, levels of evidence, and referred to other guidelines proposed by Western countries. After several panel discussions, we merged opinions from the subcommittee members and proposed a Taiwan consensus.     

阿尔茨海默氏病与血管性痴呆临床特点的对照研究

目的比较阿尔茨海默氏病（AD）与血管性痴呆（VD）的临床特点。方法对39例AD和38例VD患者的精神行为症状特点、伴随的躯体疾病、头颅CT检查以及脑电图检查进行比较。结果AD组与VD组在幻觉、妄想等精神病性症状方面无明显差异,在抑郁、焦虑等情绪障碍以及行为脱抑制方面有显著差异;AD组伴随的躯体疾病无明显特异性,VD组多伴发高血压、冠心病;AD组头颅CT多表现为脑萎缩,VD组多表现为脑梗塞;脑电图检查AD组无明显特异性,VD组界限脑电图居多。结论AD与VD患者的BPSD及所伴随的躯体疾病可有不同特点,CT和脑电图的检查等对痴呆的诊断与鉴别诊断均具有重要价值。     

Special acute care unit for older adults with Alzheimer's disease

OBJECTIVE: To describe the cognitive, functional, and nutritional features of patients admitted to a Special Acute Care Unit (SACU) for elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: One-year observational study of patients with AD and other related disorders hospitalized in the SACU, Department of Geriatrics, Toulouse university Hospital during 2005. A comprehensive neurocognitive and non-cognitive geriatric assessment was performed. Data on full clinical evaluation, nutritional status, activities of daily living (ADL), gait and balance disturbance, behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD), and sociodemographics were recorded. RESULTS: Four-hundred and ninety-two patients were assessed. Their mean age was 81.1+/-7.7, the mean length of stay was 10.7+/-6.3 days, 62% were female, 63.9% were admitted from their own home and 30.4% from a nursing home. Eighty percent of patients had probable Alzheimer's disease or mixed dementia, less than 20% had other causes of dementia. Results of their comprehensive assessment showed a mean mini-mental state examination of 14.5+/-7.4; a mean total ADL score of 3.7+/-1.7. Seventy-seven percent had gait or balance disturbances; 90% of patients presented an unsatisfactory nutritional status. The most common reason for admission was BPSD. CONCLUSION: AD complications are responsible for many acute admissions. Elderly patients suffering from dementia represent a population with unique clinical characteristics. Further randomised clinical trials are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of Special Acute Care Units for patients with AD and other related disorders.     

上海社区阿尔茨海默病行为和精神症状的发生率及影响因素

目的调查上海社区阿尔茨海默病（AD）患者行为和精神症状（BPSD）的发生率及分析可能的相关影响因素。方法对符合美国精神障碍诊断和统计手册第4版（DSM—IV）诊断标准的378例社区AD患者,进行一般资料调查,评定简易智力状态检查（MMSE）、临床痴呆评定表（CDR）及AD病理行为评分表（BEHAVE—AD）,分析BPSD症状发生率及有关的影响因素。结果BPSD的发生率为62．2％,其中以行为紊乱发生率最高（35．4％）,幻觉及焦虑恐惧最低（均为11．4％）,在接受BPSD治疗上仅为20％～25％。重度痴呆的幻觉及行为紊乱的发生率或因子分要高于轻、中度痴呆,而中度痴呆的情感障碍因子分最高。与AD患者BPSD有关的影响因素为病前生活事件、MMSE总分、年龄及CDR评分。结论社区AD患者的BPSD有较高的发生率,与BPSD发生的可能危险因素有生活事件、年龄及认知功能损害程度,需要引起足够的重视。     

The ABC of Alzheimer's disease: behavioral symptoms and their treatment

Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are a common manifestation of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementia syndromes. Patients experience prominent and multiple symptoms, which are both distressing and a source of considerable social, health, and economic cost. Development of symptoms is in part related to progressive neurodegeneration and cholinergic deficiency in brain regions important in the regulation of behavioral and emotional responses including the cortex, hippocampus, and limbic system. Cholinesterase (ChE) inhibitors offer a mechanism-based approach to therapy to enhance endogenous cholinergic neurotransmission. Studies using ChE inhibitors have demonstrated their clear potential to improve or stabilize existing BPSD. Differences have been noted between selective acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors (donepezil and galantamine) and dual ChE inhibitors (rivastigmine) in terms of treatment response. While donepezil has shown efficacy in moderate to severe noninstitutionalized AD patients, conflicting results have been obtained in mild to moderate patients and in nursing home patients. Galantamine has been shown to delay the onset of BPSD during a five-month study but has been otherwise poorly studied to-date. Both donepezil and galantamine have not as yet demonstrated efficacy in reducing psychotic symptoms or in reducing levels of concomitant psychotropic medication use. Studies with the dual ChE inhibitor rivastigmine in mild to moderately severe AD and in Lewy body dementia (LBD) have shown improvements in behavioral symptoms including psychosis. Improvements have been maintained over a period of up to two years. In addition, institutionalized patients with severe AD have shown symptomatic benefits with a reduction in the requirement for additional psychotropic drugs following treatment with rivastigmine. The psychotropic properties associated with rivastigmine may in part be mediated through effects on butyrylcholinesterase. Current treatment options are limited for patients with dementia syndromes other than AD. However, data concerning rivastigmine in patients with LBD and preliminary studies in Parkinson's disease dementia and vascular dementia suggest a role for ChE inhibitors across the spectrum of dementia syndromes. Finally, studies that incorporated a delayed start design demonstrate that ChE inhibitors may delay the progression of BPSD.     

Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD): effects of EGb 761

Dementia patients often present with behavioural and psychological symptoms, with prevalence rates reaching 90%. It is therefore important to know whether an antidementia drug that improves cognitive function can also reduce the burden of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, and whether it can improve cognitive function in patients suffering from such non-cognitive symptoms. Therefore, three types of study with Ginkgo special extract EGb 761 (definition see editorial) were reviewed: 1) studies on patients with impairment of cerebral function or dementia associated with behavioural and psychological symptoms (BPSD); 2) studies on patients suffering from impairment of cerebral function and depression; 3) dementia studies on patient samples with a high prevalence of BPSD. Compared to placebo, EGb 761 improved these symptoms significantly in all studies that used a scale to measure the presence and intensity of BPSD. Moreover, EGb 761 was found to be superior to placebo with respect to improvement in cognitive function, daily living activities and global assessment in dementia patients suffering from BPSD. It may be concluded that EGb 761 is of particular interest to patients with dementia and BPSD since it improves both the patient's cognitive ability and behavioural and psychological symptoms.     

The Role of Dopamine in Symptoms and Treatment of Apathy in Alzheimer's Disease

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is characterized by a number of serious and debilitating behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The most common of these BPSD is apathy, which represents a major source of morbidity and premature institutionalization in the AD population. Many studies have identified discrete changes to the dopaminergic (DAergic) system in patients with AD. The DAergic system is closely related to the brain reward system (BRS) and some studies have suggested that dysfunction in the DAergic system may account for symptoms of apathy in the AD population. Method: Changes to the dopamine (DA) system in AD will be reviewed, and evidence supporting the involvement of the DAergic system in the development of apathy will be examined. Additionally, some pharmacological interventions with DA activity have been identified. The utility of these treatments in the AD population will be reviewed, with a focus on apathy as an outcome. Results: Evidence presented in this review suggests that DA dysfunction in discrete brain areas is an important correlate of apathy in AD and that the DAergic system may be a rational target for pharmacological treatment of apathy.     

The cost of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in community dwelling Alzheimer's disease patients

INTRODUCTION: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are highly prevalent in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. They are a source of distress for the caregivers and one of the main reasons for nursing home placement, which is the major component of the cost of Alzheimer's disease. The aim of the present study was to assess the direct and indirect cost related to the care of BPSD within a prospective study examining the overall cost of AD in Israel. METHODS: Seventy-one community dwelling AD patients were interviewed. Interviews covered information about the number of caregivers' hours invested in caring for the patient and amount of expenditure such as in-house paid help and payments for day care. Effort devoted to BPSD was defined as the number of hours spent by primary and secondary caregivers in a typical week dealing with BPSD (managing aggression, pacing, attempts to leave the house under inappropriate circumstances, or comforting a hallucinating, depressed or anxious patient). RESULTS: The annual indirect cost for management of BPSD in an AD patient was approximately 2665 dollars -over 25% of the total annual indirect cost of care ($10 520). The annual direct cost of BPSD of an AD patient was approximately 1450 dollars -over 35% of the total annual direct cost of care (3900 dollars). CONCLUSIONS: Approximately 30% (4115 dollars) of the total annual cost of AD (14420 dollars) is invested in the direct management of BPSD. Given the importance of BPSD as one of the main components of the cost of AD, future cost studies should be designed to measure the cost of specific components of BPSD and verify which are the most costly aspects of the disease. Despite the considerable methodological difficulties in disentangling the costs of the specific symptoms of AD, cost effectiveness studies of different interventions should be conducted in order to determine the optimal intervention with relation to cost.     

Behavioral and Psychological Signs and Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) in antipsychotic-naïve Alzheimer's Disease patients

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: There were few studies identifying the natural unfolding of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in the course of Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression in antipsychotic-naive AD patients. This study aims to examine the specific nature of the association between BPSD in AD and the global severity of illness measured by Global Deterioration Scale(GDS) in antipsychotic-naive AD patients in Korea. METHODS: A total of 562 antipsychotics-naive AD patients were recruited from four different groups [a geriatric mental hospital (n = 145), a semi-hospitalized dementia institution (n = 120), a dementia clinic (n = 114) and community-dwelling dementia patients (n = 183)]. BPSD exhibited by AD patients were measured using the 25-item Korean version of the BEHAVE-AD. RESULTS: Ninety-two percent (n = 517) of AD patients had at least one BPSD, while 56% (n=315) had 4 or more BPSD. Specific kinds of behavioral disturbance peak at the stages of moderate AD (GDS stage 5) or moderately severe AD (GDS stage 6). AD patients left at home without any treatment had higher frequency of BPSD than did other groups seeking treatment, although all of them were antipsychotic-naive. CONCLUSION: BPSD potentially remediable to treatment were highly frequent in Korean AD patients. Health policies to meet the unmet needs of elderly Koreans are urgently needed, especially for AD patients at home without treatment.     

The role of norepinephrine in the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia

The behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common serious problems that are a major contributor to caregiver burden. Despite their significance, the underlying neurobiology of these disturbances is still unclear. This review examines the role of norepinephrine (NE) on BPSD, including depression, aggression, agitation and psychosis. A number of lines of evidence suggest that NE dysfunction leading to BPSD may result from increased NE activity and/or hypersensitive adrenoreceptors compensating for loss of NE neurons with progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). With greater appreciation of the underlying neurobiology of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) more effective, rational, targeted pharmacotherapy will hopefully emerge.     

Characteristics of behavioral and psychological symptoms in the oldest patients with Alzheimer's disease

Background: Advancing age increases the risk of developing dementia. Recent studies have clarified characteristic cognitive changes in very old patients with dementia. Although non‐cognitive symptoms are frequent in dementia, relatively little attention has been paid to the nature of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Methods: A retrospective review of a database was performed to compare 27 very old patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) (onset age ≥ 85) with 162 less old patients (onset age < 85). Cognitive decline, ability to carry out activities of daily living (ADL), and overall severity were rated. BPSD were evaluated using a 16‐item questionnaire to the compare frequency of each symptom between old and very old groups. Results: Cognitive decline was equivocal in both old and very old groups. In contrast, very old patients were more impaired in ADL, and BPSD were more frequent in very old patients. Delusions, irritability, and delusional misidentification syndrome were frequent in both groups, but were more prominent in very old patients. Behavioral abnormalities such as excitement, delirium, reversed diurnal rhythm, and wandering were not prominent in old patients, but were frequent in very old patients. Conclusions: Very old AD patients presented more frequent BPSD than old AD patients. Troublesome behavioral abnormalities particularly prominent in the older patients might represent a heavy burden for caregivers.     

Prevalence and correlates of disruptive behavior in patients in Norwegian nursing homes

BACKGROUND: Although Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) increase with increasing dementia severity, and institutionalization of an individual with dementia is often caused by behavioral symptoms, relatively few studies have explored the prevalence of BPSD in nursing homes. OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence and correlates of agitation in residents with dementia, in Norwegian nursing homes. METHODS: This study has taken place in dementia wards in four Norwegian nursing homes. To measure agitation in residents with dementia we used the Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory (CMAI), consisting of 29 agitation items. Dementia stage was measured by Functional Assessment Staging (FAST). RESULTS: Two hundred and eleven patients (71% female) were included in the study: mean (SD) age 85.5 (8.4), FAST 4.7 (2.1), CMAI total sumscore 39.5 (12.6). Dementia was present in 167 (79%) subjects. Among those with dementia, weekly occurrence of at least one CMAI item (i.e. a score of 3 or higher) occurred in 75.4% (95% CI 68.4-81.4). Six of the items occurred at least weekly in 20% of the residents with dementia, and 11 of the items, including physical aggression, occurred in less than 5% of the residents. Agitation was associated with more severe dementia (p = 0.001), but not with age and gender. CONCLUSION: Symptoms of agitation were common, but may nevertheless be lower compared to findings in other geographical areas. Further studies are warranted to test this hypothesis, and if confirmed, to explore possible causes for such differences.