Dementia and neuropsychiatric symptoms in nursing-home patients in Nord-Trøndelag County.

BACKGROUND Earlier studies have revealed a high prevalence of dementia among nursing home patients. We conducted a descriptive study of dementia and neuropsychiatric symptoms among patients in nursing homes in Nord-Trøndelag County, Norway. MATERIAL AND METHODS 704 nursing home patients were included and studied with the Norwegian versions of the clinical demential rating scale (CDR) and the neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI). RESULTS The study indicated that 575 patients (82%) had dementia. Of these, 430 patients (75%) had at least one clinically significant neuropsychiatric syndrome in addition, most commonly delusions, apathy or irritability. The neuropsychiatric symptoms could be grouped in four categories: psychosis, apathy, affective symptoms and agitation. INTERPRETATION The findings are comparable with earlier studies of Norwegian nursing home patients. The high prevalence of dementia and neuropsychiatric symptoms is of significance for the clinical practice, running and planning of nursing homes.