Cited by 2,049Dementia and Cognitive Impairment ResearchCancer-related cognitive impairment studiesNeurological Disease Mechanisms and Treatments

Prevalence of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment: Results From the Cardiovascular Health Study

Lyketsos, Constantine G., Lopez, Oscar, Jones, Beverly, Fitzpatrick, Annette L., Breitner, John, DeKosky, Steven·2002·JAMA

Abstract

CONTEXT: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) may be a precursor to dementia, at least in some cases. Dementia and MCI are associated with neuropsychiatric symptoms in clinical samples. Only 2 population-based studies exist of the prevalence of these symptoms in dementia, and none exist for MCI. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms in dementia and MCI in a population-based study. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study derived from the Cardiovascular Health Study, a longitudinal cohort study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: A total of 3608 participants were cognitively evaluated using data collected longitudinally over 10 years and additional data collected in 1999-2000 in 4 US counties. Dementia and MCI were classified using clinical criteria and adjudicated by committee review by expert neurologists and psychiatrists. A total of 824 individuals completed the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI); 362 were classified as having dementia, 320 as having MCI; and 142 did not meet criteria for MCI or dementia. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms, based on ratings on the NPI in the previous month and from the onset of cognitive symptoms. RESULTS: Of the 682 individuals with dementia or MCI, 43% of MCI participants (n = 138) exhibited neuropsychiatric symptoms in the previous month (29% rated as clinically significant) with depression (20%), apathy (15%), and irritability (15%) being most common. Among the dementia participants, 75% (n = 270) had exhibited a neuropsychiatric symptom in the past month (62% were clinically significant); 55% (n = 199) reported 2 or more and 44% (n = 159) 3 or more disturbances in the past month. In participants with dementia, the most frequent disturbances were apathy (36%), depression (32%), and agitation/aggression (30%). Eighty percent of dementia participants (n = 233) and 50% of MCI participants (n = 139) exhibited at least 1 NPI symptom from the onset of cognitive symptoms. There were no differences in prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms between participants with Alzheimer-type dementia and those with other dementias, with the exception of aberrant motor behavior, which was more frequent in Alzheimer-type dementia (5.4% vs 1%; P =.02). CONCLUSIONS: Neuropsychiatric symptoms occur in the majority of persons with dementia over the course of the disease. These are the first population-based estimates for neuropsychiatric symptoms in MCI, indicating a high prevalence associated with this condition as well. These symptoms have serious adverse consequences and should be inquired about and treated as necessary. Study of neuropsychiatric symptoms in the context of dementia may improve our understanding of brain-behavior relationships.

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Crossref · 10.1001/jama.288.12.1475

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Authors
Lyketsos, C. G., Lopez, O., Jones, B., Fitzpatrick, A. L., Breitner, J., & DeKosky, S.
Affiliations
  • Johns Hopkins University (US)
  • University of Pittsburgh (US)
  • Wake Forest University (US)
  • University of Washington (US)
Venue
JAMA
Published
2002-09-25
Volume
288
Issue
12
Pages
1475
ISSN
  • 0002-9955 (ISSN-L)
  • 0098-7484
OpenAlex
W2088361570
Cited by
2,049
References
57
Citations by year
2026: 57 · 2025: 94 · 2024: 105 · 2023: 99 · 2022: 98 · 2021: 117 · 2020: 115 · 2019: 104 · 2018: 109 · 2017: 101 · 2016: 98 · 2015: 92 · 2014: 93 · 2013: 97 · 2012: 98
FWCI
24.83
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • JAMA (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health (n01hc085079-024, n01hc015103-009, 5r01mh056511-05, n01hc085086-022, n01hc035129-010)
  • National Institute on Aging (R01 AG 11380, R01AG011380, 5R01 AG 15928-02, R01AG015928)
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (N01HC15103, N01 HC85086, N01-HC85079, N01HC35129)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (R01 MH 56511)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Dementia and Cognitive Impairment Research
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pulmonary and Respiratory Medicine › Cancer-related cognitive impairment studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Neurology › Neurological Disease Mechanisms and Treatments
Keywords
neuropsychiatric symptoms, dementia, mild cognitive impairment, prevalence, Neuropsychiatric Inventory, depression, apathy, irritability, agitation, aberrant motor behavior, Alzheimer-type dementia, Cardiovascular Health Study, population-based study, symptom onset timing, aberrant behavior
MeSH terms
Aged, Aggression, Anxiety, Feeding and Eating Disorders, Behavioral Symptoms, Cognition Disorders, Cross-Sectional Studies, Delusions, Dementia, Depression, Female, Humans, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Neuropsychological Tests, Sleep Wake Disorders, Comorbidity, Prevalence

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