Neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with dementia and the longitudinal costs of informal care in the Cache County population

Gail B. Rattinger, Chelsea L. Sanders, Elizabeth Vernon, Sarah Schwartz, Stephanie Behrens, Constantine G. Lyketsos, Jo Ann T. Tschanz

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Severity of dementia and neuropsychiatric symptoms contribute to increasing informal care costs. We examined which neuropsychiatric symptoms subdomains (NPS-SD) were associated with informal costs in a population-based sample. Methods: Dementia progression and informal costs (2015 dollars) were estimated from the Cache County Dementia Progression Study. Overall NPS and specific NPS-SD were assessed with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory. Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE with gamma-distribution/log-link) modeled the relationship between NPS-SDs and informal cost trajectories. Results: Two hundred eighty participants (52.1% female; age M = 85.67, SD = 5.60) exhibited an adjusted cost increase of 5.6% (P =.005), 6.4% (P <.001), 7.6% (P =.030), and 13% (P =.024) for every increasing Neuropsychiatric Inventory unit in psychosis-SD, affective-SD, agitation/aggression-SD, and apathy-SD, respectively. An increase in each unit of apathy was associated with a 2% annual decrease in costs (P =.040). Discussion: We extend our prior work on informal costs and dementia severity by identifying NPS-SD associated with informal costs. Interventions targeting NPS-SD may lower informal costs.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)81-88
Number of pages8
JournalAlzheimer's and Dementia: Translational Research and Clinical Interventions
Volume5
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2019

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • Dementia
  • Informal costs of dementia
  • Neuropsychiatric symptoms

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Clinical Neurology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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