This article was first published on January 28, 2024. It was last reviewed, updated, or edited on January 28, 2024.
Why agitation in dementia is very important
1. Common
Depending on the patient population, setting, and definition of agitation, it occurs in up to 80 to 90% of patients with dementia (Grossberg et al., 2020; Ballard and Corbett, 2013)
2. Negative consequences for the patient
– Impairs functioning and quality of life (Sano et al., 2023)
– Increases the chances of being placed in long-term residential care (Ballard and Corbett, 2013)
3. Negative consequences for the caregiver(s)
– Increases caregiver distress
– Increases the amount of time needed to care for the patient
For other articles related to agitation—including agitation associated with dementia, please see Related Pages below.
Related Pages
Agitation: General articles
An overview of agitation and aggressiveness in mental health settings
Safety first! Preventing injury due to violence by patients
Advanced tips for verbal de-escalation of agitated/ aggressive patients
When calm needs to be injected: Intramuscular and intravenous injections for agitation or aggressiveness
How to manage agitation in a pregnant woman
Dexmedetomidine (Igalmi™): Basic information
Agitation in autism spectrum disorder
Autism spectrum disorder: Evaluation of irritability, agitation, aggressive behavior
Autism spectrum disorder: Medications to treat irritability, agitation, or aggressive behavior
Agitation in dementia
Why agitation associated with dementia is such an important clinical problem
“Agitation associated with dementia” now has an operational definition
Key points from the APA Practice Guideline on the Use of Antipsychotics to Treat Agitation or Psychosis in Patients with Dementia
Brexpiprazole (Rexulti®) for “agitation associated with dementia due to Alzheimer’s disease”
Citalopram for agitation in Alzheimer’s disease
Case: Agitation in a patient with Alzheimer’s disease
References
Ballard C, Corbett A. Agitation and aggression in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Curr Opin Psychiatry. 2013 May;26(3):252-9. doi: 10.1097/YCO.0b013e32835f414b. PMID: 23528917.
Cummings J, Mintzer J, Brodaty H, Sano M, Banerjee S, Devanand DP, Gauthier S, Howard R, Lanctôt K, Lyketsos CG, Peskind E, Porsteinsson AP, Reich E, Sampaio C, Steffens D, Wortmann M, Zhong K; International Psychogeriatric Association. Agitation in cognitive disorders: International Psychogeriatric Association provisional consensus clinical and research definition. Int Psychogeriatr. 2015 Jan;27(1):7-17. doi: 10.1017/S1041610214001963. Epub 2014 Oct 14. PMID: 25311499; PMCID: PMC4301197.
Grossberg GT, Kohegyi E, Mergel V, Josiassen MK, Meulien D, Hobart M, Slomkowski M, Baker RA, McQuade RD, Cummings JL. Efficacy and Safety of Brexpiprazole for the Treatment of Agitation in Alzheimer’s Dementia: Two 12-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2020 Apr;28(4):383-400. doi: 10.1016/j.jagp.2019.09.009. Epub 2019 Oct 1. PMID: 31708380.
Sano M, Cummings J, Auer S, Bergh S, Fischer CE, Gerritsen D, Grossberg G, Ismail Z, Lanctôt K, Lapid MI, Mintzer J, Palm R, Rosenberg PB, Splaine M, Zhong K, Zhu CW. Agitation in cognitive disorders: Progress in the International Psychogeriatric Association consensus clinical and research definition. Int Psychogeriatr. 2023 Mar 7:1-13. doi: 10.1017/S1041610222001041. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 36880250; PMCID: PMC10684256.
Copyright © 2024, Simple and Practical Medical Education, LLC. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in any form without express written permission.
Disclaimer: The content on this website is provided as general education for medical professionals. It is not intended or recommended for patients or other laypersons or as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients must always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding their diagnosis and treatment. Healthcare professionals should always check this website for the most recently updated information.
Leave a Reply