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Comparison of behavioral and psychological symptoms in early‐onset and late‐onset Alzheimer's disease
Author(s) -
Toyota Yasutaka,
Ikeda Manabu,
Shinagawa Shunichiro,
Matsumoto Teruhisa,
Matsumoto Naomi,
Hokoishi Kazuhiko,
Fukuhara Ryuji,
Ishikawa Tomohisa,
Mori Takaaki,
Adachi Hiroyoshi,
Komori Kenjiro,
Tanabe Hirotaka
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
international journal of geriatric psychiatry
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.28
H-Index - 129
eISSN - 1099-1166
pISSN - 0885-6230
DOI - 10.1002/gps.1760
Subject(s) - delusion , disease , dementia , alzheimer's disease , psychology , early onset alzheimer's disease , cognition , psychiatry , medicine , clinical psychology
Background When comparing with early‐onset Alzheimer's disease (EO‐AD) and late‐onset Alzheimer's disease (LO‐AD), some symptomatological differences in clinical features can be seen between them. Rapid progression, more severe language problems or visuospatial dysfunction occur more often in EO‐AD patients. However, there have been very few reports about the differences in behavioral and psychological symptoms between these two groups. Aim The aim of this study was to demonstrate the differences in behavioral symptoms between EO‐AD and LO‐AD groups. Method Three hundred and seven consecutive outpatients with AD were put into an EO‐AD group (46 patients) or a LO‐AD group (261 patients). Comprehensive assessment batteries, including the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), were administered at the first medical assessment. Results Significant differences were found between the EO‐AD and LO‐AD groups in terms of NPI total score (EO‐AD: 10.3 ± 10.9, LO‐AD: 17.8 ± 17.0, p = 0.004) and number of patients who experienced each NPI subscale score (delusion; EO‐AD: 13.0%, LO‐AD: 50.6%, p < 0.001). There were no differences in cognitive functions or dementia severity between two groups. Conclusion In EO‐AD, behavioral and psychological symptoms are relatively fewer than LO‐AD at the first medical assessment. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.