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P2‐069: The use of drugs in demented and non‐demented people according to living situation; a comparison between rural and urban areas—results from SNAC, a population‐based multicenter study
Author(s) -
Sköldunger Anders B.,
Sjölund Britt-Marie,
Johnell Kristina,
Wimo Anders
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
alzheimer's and dementia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.713
H-Index - 118
eISSN - 1552-5279
pISSN - 1552-5260
DOI - 10.1016/j.jalz.2010.05.1115
Subject(s) - dementia , medicine , medical prescription , longitudinal study , gerontology , cohort , polypharmacy , cohort study , population , rural area , environmental health , disease , pathology , pharmacology
Background: The prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is rapidly increasing among Japanese elderly. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are a common behavioral symptoms associated with AD and increase caregiver’s burden. In this study, we examined the effects of bright light exposure on BPSD in AD patients with institutionalized elderly and caregiver’s burden. Methods: Subjects were 8 AD patients (mean [SD] age, 80 [10.0] years) living in geriatric healthcare facilities for the aged. BPSD was measured continuously over 3 weeks using CMAI (Cohen-Mansfield Agitation Inventory) and NPI-NH (Neuropsychiatric Inventory-Nursing Home Version) by caregivers and occupational therapists. Cognitive performance was assessed by MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) at the end of each week. Caregiver’s burden was alse assessed by JZBI (Modified Japanese Version of the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview) at the end of each week. In the second week, subjects received either white (12,000K) or orange (2,400K) light about 2000 lux from light-emitting diodes, measured before the eyes in gaze direction, from 9:00 am to 9:30 am during occupational therapy. Differences of variables between weeks were assessed using ANOVA with multiple comparisons (P < 0.05). Results: As the results, scores for NPI-NH and CMAI were significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in both orange (2,400K) and white (12,000K) light sessions. During the second and third weeks, scores for NPI-NH and CMAI significantly (P < 0.05) decreased compared with the first week. However, scores for MMSE and J-ZBI did not change over 3 weeks. Conclusions: These results suggest that BPSD symptoms were improved by bright light exposure in the morning. Bright light might have a modest benefit in improving BPSD symptoms.