PSYCHOTIC SYMPTOMS IN PARKINSONS-DISEASE PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of psychotic symptoms in a group o f patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia and examine the association of psychotic symptoms with neuropsychiatric problems, the level of distress reported by caregivers, and cognitive and functional impairment. DESIGN: The psychotic and nonpsychotic patients with PD d ementia were compared on a series of demographic, neuropsychiatric, be havioral, caregiver complaint, and cognitive measures. SETTING: The da tabase from nine university-based State of California Alzheimer's Dise ase Diagnostic and Treatment Centers (ADDTCs). PARTICIPANTS: 101 patie nts diagnosed with PD. RESULTS: A total of 36 of the 101 patients (35. 6%) had either hallucinations, delusions, or both. The psychotic patie nts had significantly more insomnia, confusion, agitation, personality changes, and self-care problems and were noted by their caregivers to be significantly more unmanageable at home than their nonpsychotic co unterparts. On cognitive scales, psychotic patients were significantly more impaired. CONCLUSION: Many patients with PD and dementia experie nce psychosis. Psychotic symptoms in PD dementia patients are associat ed with major behavioral, cognitive, and functional problems.