Descriptive analysis of emergency hospital admissions of patients with Alzheimer disease

The aim of this project was to study the underlying reasons fur emergency h ospital admission of patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) and their characteristics. This prospective 4-month study identified 118 patie nts with DAT, most of whom were referred to the two emergency departments o f the Toulouse University Hospital. The two main reasons for admission were behavioral problems (26.3%) and falls (18.6%). Patients were generally at an advanced stage of the disease process and had substantial evidence of po or nutritional status and loss of activities of daily living ability. About one third of patients had already been admitted to the hospital for the sa me reasons in the preceding months. Psychotropic drugs predominated (71%) a mong the current medications taken by the patients and were mainly anxiolyt ics and neuroleptics. Finally, the discharge report indicated that medicati ons were a contributing factor in the disorders of 25% of patients. We beli eve that improved information for caregivers and early management and treat ment are essential to respond adequately to the problems raised by this pop ulation.