• Ladislav Volicer, Dinnus H M Frijters, and Jenny T Van der Steen.
• School of Aging Studies, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL, USA.
• Int J Geriatr Psychiatry. 2012 Jul 1; 27 (7): 749-54.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to analyze modifiable factors related to agitation of nursing home residents with dementia.MethodsRelationship of agitation with three modifiable factors (depression, psychosis, and pain) was explored using longitudinal Minimum Data Set (MDS) information from 2032 residents of Dutch nursing homes. Presence of agitation and depression was ascertained using validated scales based on MDS information. Presence of psychosis and pain was ascertained from the individual MDS items.ResultsThere was a significant correlation between MDS depression and agitation scores. Depression scores increased in residents whose agitation worsened and decreased in residents whose agitation improved. Psychosis scores (combination of delusions and hallucinations) also correlated with MDS depression scores, and psychosis scores increased in residents whose agitation worsened. Pain scores correlated with agitation scores, but the pain scores did not change with changes in agitation. Depression symptoms were present in 51% of residents, while psychotic symptoms were present only in 15% of residents, and two-thirds of these residents were also depressed.ConclusionThese results indicate that depression may be the most common factor associated with agitation in nursing home residents with dementia.Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

22 keywords...

hide…