Determinants of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: A Scoping Review of the Evidence

Overview

Journal Nurs Outlook

Specialty Nursing

Date 2017 Aug 23

PMID 28826872

Citations 60

Authors

Ann Kolanowski

Marie Boltz

Elizabeth Galik

Laura N Gitlin

Helen C Kales

Barbara Resnick

Kimberly S Van Haitsma

Amy Knehans

Jane E Sutterlin

Justine S Sefcik

Wen Liu

Darina V Petrovsky

Lauren Massimo

Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi

Margaret MacAndrew

Glenna Brewster

Vycki Nalls

Ying-Ling Jao

Naomi Duffort

Danny Scerpella

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Background: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are prevalent in people with neurodegenerative diseases.

Purpose: In this scoping review the Kales, Gitlin and Lykestos framework is used to answer the question: What high quality evidence exists for the patient, caregiver and environmental determinants of five specific BPSD: aggression, agitation, apathy, depression and psychosis?

Method: An a priori review protocol was developed; 692 of 6013 articles retrieved in the search were deemed eligible for review. Gough's Weight of Evidence Framework and the Cochrane Collaboration's tool for assessing risk of bias were used. The findings from 56 high quality/low bias articles are summarized.

Discussion: Each symptom had its own set of determinants, but many were common across several symptoms: neurodegeneration, type of dementia, severity of cognitive impairments, and declining functional abilities, and to a lesser extent, caregiver burden and communication.

Conclusion: Research and policy implications are relevant to the National Plan to Address Alzheimer's Disease.

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