08 Oct Dementia Patients On Antipsychotics Accumulate More Hospitalization Days
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Koponen
Marjaana Koponen, PhD
Postdoctoral Researcher
Kuopio Research Centre of Geriatric Care
School of Pharmacy
University of Eastern Finland
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Response: It is known that antipsychotics are commonly used in the treatment of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, although their use has been linked to serious adverse events.
In this study, we found that community dwellers with Alzheimer’s disease who initiated antipsychotic use accumulated more hospital days than non-initiators. This may partially reflect adverse effects and events of antipsychotic use. On the other hand, antipsychotic users accumulated more hospital days due to dementia, mental and behavioral disorders and their caregivers’ days off.
Thus, another reason for a higher accumulation of hospital days is care burden and the difficulties in treating the most severe behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Response: It is important to assess and treat the underlying health problems triggering behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia before initiating antipsychotic use. If initiation of antipsychotic use is necessary, careful and regular monitoring is needed to assess the efficacy and possible emergence of adverse effects.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this work?
Response: Our findings highlight that in addition to all-cause hospitalization, cause-specific hospitalization should be used as an outcome in future studies to give insight on the actual reasons for higher need for hospital care
Citation:
Content
Accumulation of Hospital Days Among Antipsychotic Initiators With Alzheimer’s DiseaseKoponen, Marjaana et al.
Journal of the American Medical Directors Association, Volume 0, Issue 0
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Last Updated on October 8, 2019 by Marie Benz MD FAAD