-
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: despite evidence of limited efficacy, psychotropic medications are widely used as a first line treatment for those with behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). Clearly various factors must be influencing their continued use; these are explored here.
to examine the process by which consultant old age psychiatrists prescribe for BPSD and explore the factors that influence their decisions.
a focus group generated initial questions for interviews with eight consultant old age psychiatrists, using a grounded theory methodology.
differences in how assessment information was utilised resulted in inconsistencies in choice of medication between psychiatrists. Psychiatrists felt pressured to prescribe, largely due to resource issues and lack of viable alternative treatments.
the ways in which psychiatrists prescribe for BPSD varies amongst clinicians. Guidelines do exist, but are difficult to implement in practice. Alternative non-pharmacological strategies are required, but as yet they are difficult to access and have a questionable evidence base.
Age and Ageing 09/2008; 37(5):547-52. · 3.09 Impact Factor
-
Clive Ballard,
Marisa Margallo-Lana,
Edmund Juszczak,
Simon Douglas, Alan Swann,
Alan Thomas,
John O'Brien,
Anna Everratt,
Stuart Sadler,
Clare Maddison,
Lesley Lee,
Carol Bannister,
Ruth Elvish,
Robin Jacoby
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: To determine the respective efficacy of quetiapine and rivastigmine for agitation in people with dementia in institutional care and to evaluate these treatments with respect to change in cognitive performance.
Randomised double blind (clinician, patient, outcomes assessor) placebo controlled trial.
Care facilities in the north east of England.
93 patients with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and clinically significant agitation.
Atypical antipsychotic (quetiapine), cholinesterase inhibitor (rivastigmine), or placebo (double dummy).
Agitation (Cohen-Mansfield agitation inventory) and cognition (severe impairment battery) at baseline and at six weeks and 26 weeks. The primary outcome was agitation inventory at six weeks.
31 patients were randomised to each group, and 80 (86%) started treatment (25 rivastigmine, 26 quetiapine, 29 placebo), of whom 71 (89%) tolerated the maximum protocol dose (22 rivastigmine, 23 quetiapine, 26 placebo). Compared with placebo, neither group showed significant differences in improvement on the agitation inventory either at six weeks or 26 weeks. Fifty six patients scored > 10 on the severe impairment battery at baseline, 46 (82%) of whom were included in the analysis at six week follow up (14 rivastigmine, 14 quetiapine, 18 placebo). For quetiapine the change in severe impairment battery score from baseline was estimated as an average of -14.6 points (95% confidence interval -25.3 to -4.0) lower (that is, worse) than in the placebo group at six weeks (P = 0.009) and -15.4 points (-27.0 to -3.8) lower at 26 weeks (P = 0.01). The corresponding changes with rivastigmine were -3.5 points (-13.1 to 6.2) lower at six weeks (P = 0.5) and -7.5 points (-21.0 to 6.0) lower at 26 weeks (P = 0.3).
Neither quetiapine nor rivastigmine are effective in the treatment of agitation in people with dementia in institutional care. Compared with placebo, quetiapine is associated with significantly greater cognitive decline.
BMJ (Clinical research ed.). 05/2005; 330(7496):874.
-
Clive G Ballard,
Alan Thomas,
Jane Fossey,
Lesley Lee,
Robin Jacoby,
Marisa M Lana,
Carol Bannister,
Rupert McShane, Alan Swann,
Ed Juszczak,
John T O'Brien
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Although few placebo-controlled neuroleptic discontinuation studies have been conducted in people with dementia, such studies are essential to inform key clinical decisions.
A 3-month, double-blind, placebo-controlled, neuroleptic discontinuation study (June 2000 to June 2002) was completed in 100 care-facility residents with probable or possible Alzheimer's disease (according to National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Diseases and Stroke/Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association criteria) who had no severe behavioral disturbances and had been taking neuroleptics for longer than 3 months. The Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) was used to measure changes in behavioral and psychiatric symptoms. Quality of life was evaluated using Dementia Care Mapping.
Eighty-two patients completed the 1-month assessment (36 placebo, 46 active). The number of participants withdrawing overall (N = 14 [30%] placebo, N = 14 [26%] active treatment) and because of exacerbation of behavioral symptoms (N = 6 [13%] placebo, N = 5 [9%] active treatment) was similar in the neuroleptic- and placebo-treated patients. As hypothesized, patients with baseline NPI scores at or below the median (< or = 14) had a particularly good outcome, with a significantly greater reduction of agitation in the patients receiving placebo (Mann-Whitney U test, z = 2.4, p =.018), while patients with higher baseline NPI scores were significantly more likely to develop marked behavioral problems if discontinued from neuroleptics (chi(2) = 6.8, p =.009). There was no overall difference in the change of quality of life parameters between groups.
A standardized evaluation with an instrument such as the NPI may be a clinical indicator of which people with dementia are likely to benefit from discontinuation of neuroleptic treatment.
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry 01/2004; 65(1):114-9. · 5.80 Impact Factor
-
Dawn Potkins,
Pat Myint,
Carol Bannister,
George Tadros,
Ramilgan Chithramohan, Alan Swann,
John O'Brien,
Jane Fossey,
Eugenie George,
Clive Ballard,
Marisa Margallo-Lana
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Impairment of language skills affects the level of functioning of an individual, interferes with effective communication and can result in development of disruptive behaviour. Social skills and capacity for self care may be compromised. Few studies have evaluated the impact of language problems on symptoms and socialization in people with dementia in care environments.
315 elderly residents with dementia (29% living in nursing homes, 71% in social care facilities) were assessed using standardized psychiatric schedules including the Sheffield Screening Test for Acquired Language Disorders and Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Dementia Care Mapping was undertaken at random in at least 50% of residents in each facility.
Expressive language impairment was associated with the presence of delusions even when severity of dementia was controlled for (p=0.02) and showed a tendency of association with depression (p=0.06). Receptive language difficulties were strongly associated with presence of Aberrant Motor Behaviour, even controlling for severity of dementia (p=0.04). Decreased participation in social activities was correlated with both expressive (p=0.048) and receptive aspects of language (p<0.01) but social withdrawal was only correlated with receptive language difficulties (p=0.01).
Language disorders are associated with both behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia even when severity of dementia is controlled for. Patients' needs in communication skills should be addressed earlier to help them maintain social interactions and reduce the impact on behavioural problems and patients' quality of life.
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 12/2003; 18(11):1002-6. · 2.42 Impact Factor
-
The Practitioner 11/2002; 246(1639):633, 636, 640-1.
-
Clive Ballard,
Ian Powell,
Ian James,
Katharina Reichelt,
Pat Myint,
Dawn Potkins,
Carol Bannister,
Marisa Lana,
Robert Howard,
John O'Brien, Alan Swann,
Damian Robinson,
Jay Shrimanker,
Robert Barber
[show abstract]
[hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: The quality of care and overuse of neuroleptic medication in care environments are major issues in the care of elderly people with dementia.
The quality of care (Dementia Care Mapping), the severity of Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms (BPSD--Neuropsychiatric Inventory), expressive language skills (Sheffield Acquired Language Disorder scale), service utilization and use of neuroleptic drugs was compared over 9 months between six care facilities receiving a psychiatric liaison service and three facilities receiving the usual clinical support, using a single blind design.
There was a significant reduction in neuroleptic usage in the facilities receiving the liaison service (McNemar test p<0.0001), but not amongst those receiving standard clinical support (McNemar test p=0.07). There were also significantly less GP contacts (t=3.9 p=0.0001) for residents in the facilities receiving the liaison service, and a three fold reduction in psychiatric in-patient bed usage (Bed days per person 0.6 vs. 1.5). Residents in care facilities receiving the liaison service experienced significantly less deterioration in expressive language skills (t=2.2 p=0.03), but there were no significant differences in BPSD or wellbeing.
A resource efficient psychiatric liaison service can reduce neuroleptic drug use and reduce some aspects of health service utilization; but a more extensive intervention is probably required to improve the overall quality of care.
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry 03/2002; 17(2):140-5. · 2.42 Impact Factor
-
International Psychogeriatrics 08/1998; 10(03):340 - 340. · 2.24 Impact Factor
