[Neuropsychiatric symptoms in patients with mild cognitive impairment]. / Neiropsikhiatricheskie simptomy u patsientov s myagkim kognitivnym snizheniem.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To study the prevalence of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) who asked for help in memory clinics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analysed data on 729 patients with MCI (average age 76.6 years, average MMSE score 25.3), who underwent a course of cognitive neurorehabilitation in a specialized department - a memory clinic. A Russian version of Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) was used. We compared the indicators for the main psychometric scales for the diagnosis of MCI in comparison with the dynamics of NPS. RESULTS: The prevalence rates for NPS differed in part from those reported in the literature. The most common symptom was anxiety (54.7%) and irritability (56.5%), while euphoria, as well as delusions and hallucinations were not detected. All disorders significantly reduced at the end of the rehabilitation program. CONCLUSION: MCI influences the level of functioning and social interaction in older patients and mediates the quality of life. Thus, given the increase in life expectancy, it is necessary to introduce new methods of examination applicable in the practice of psychiatrists to diagnose and rehabilitate such patients. NPS turned out to be widespread in MCI, but may reduce during the course of complex neurorehabilitation.