Title | Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Patients with Dementia Associated with Increased Psychological Distress in Caregivers During the COVID-19 Pandemic. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2021 |
Authors | Borelli, WVendramini, Augustin, MCoutinho, de Oliveira, PBell Felix, Reggiani, LCasagrande, Bandeira-de-Mello, RGorga, Schumacher-Schuh, AFrancisco, Chaves, MLorena Fag, Castilhos, RMachado |
Journal | J Alzheimers Dis |
Volume | 80 |
Issue | 4 |
Pagination | 1705-1712 |
Date Published | 2021 |
ISSN | 1875-8908 |
Keywords | Adult, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Brazil, Caregivers, COVID-19, Cross-Sectional Studies, Dementia, Female, Humans, Male, Mental Disorders, Middle Aged, Outpatient Clinics, Hospital, Pandemics, Psychological Distress, Social Isolation, Young Adult |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: The social isolation imposed by COVID-19 pandemic can have a major impact on the mental health of dementia patients and their caregivers. OBJECTIVE: We aim to evaluate the neurological decline of patients with dementia and the caregivers' burden during the pandemic. METHODS: We performed a cross-sectional study. Caregivers of dementia patients following in the outpatient clinic were included. A structured telephone interview composed of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q), Zarit Burden Interview (ZBI), Beck Depression (BDI) and Anxiety (BAI) Inventories to address cognitive, behavioral, and functional changes associated with social distancing during the Sars-Cov-2 outbreak. Patients were divided in two groups according to caregivers' report: with perceived Altered Cognition (AC) and Stable Cognition (SC). RESULTS: A total of 58 patients (median age: 57 years [21-87], 58.6%females) and caregivers (median age: 76.5 years [55-89], 79.3%females) were included. Cognitive decline was shown by most patients (53.4%), as well as behavioral symptoms (48.3%), especially apathy/depression (24.1%), and functional decline (34.5%). The AC group (n = 31) presented increased behavioral (67.7%versus 25.9%, p = 0.002) and functional (61.3%versus 3.7%, p < 0.001) changes when compared to the SC group. In the AC group, ZBI, BDI, NPI-Q caregiver distress, and NPI-Q patient's severity of symptoms scores were worse than the SC group (p < 0.005 for all). CONCLUSION: Patients' neuropsychiatric worsening and caregiver burden were frequent during the pandemic. Worsening of cognition was associated with increased caregivers' psychological distress. |
DOI | 10.3233/JAD-201513 |
Alternate Journal | J Alzheimers Dis |
PubMed ID | 33646168 |