Old Age Psychiatry Flashcards
What are the 5 key factors that affect the mental health and wellbeing of older people?
- Participation in meaningful activities
- Relationships
- Poverty
- Physical health
- Discrimination
What percentage of over-65’s have dementia?
22% of males
28% of females
What differentials should you consider when older people present in psychiatry?
Mnemonic: DEMENTIA
Drugs, delirium Emotions/depression Metabolic disorders Eye and ear impairment Nutritional disorders Tumours, toxins, trauma Infections Alcohol, arteriosclerosis
True or false: Usually symptoms must have been ongoing for at least 6 months for a diagnosis of dementia.
True
What is the general clinical presentation for a patient with Alzheimer’s Dementia?
Gradual onset over a long time
Memory impairment is the core feature
Usually first noticed by close family, later by the individual
Impact on ADL’s (inc. shopping and finances)
Investigations normal except head CT: enlarged ventricles and decreased brain volume.
What pathological findings are found in Alzheimer’s Disease?
- Cerebral atrophy (medial temporal lobe atrophy)
- Senile plaques
- Amyloid deposition
- Neurofibrillary tangles
- Reduced acetylcholine levels
What are the most common biopsychosocial management options for Alzheimer’s Dementia?
Bio
- Treat reversible causes
- Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine)
- NMDA receptor antagonist (memantine)
Psycho
- Emotional support
- Cognitive rehab, stimulation, training
- Treatment for comorbid illness (e.g. CBT for anxiety)
Social
- Carer support
- Occupational therapy
- Social care
True or false: Antipsychotics can be helpful in managing the behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD)?
False
Antipsychotics are not licensed for the treatment of agitation (except risperidone) and their use leads to greater side effects in older people:
- Stroke risk
- CV risk
- Parkinsonian side effects
- Falls
- Increases mortality
What are the treatable causes of dementia symptoms?
Think: PINCH ME
Pain
INfection
Constipation
Hydration
Medication
Environmental
Typical history of Vascular Dementia?
History of stroke/TIA
Increasing memory impairment, especially after CVA (stepwise decline)
Smoking, hypertension, diabetes
What are the biological treatments for Vascular Dementia?
Treat reversible causes
Consider anticoagulants
Modify risk factors
What changes occur in frontotemporal dementia?
- Personality, behaviour, interpersonal and executive skills
- Language skills (aphasia)
- Loss of semantic memory (ability to recall meaning)
What investigation confirms a diagnosis of FTD?
MRI head: frontotemporal atrophy seen on scans
True or false: You should NOT use acetylcholinesterase inhibitors to manage FTD.
True
How should you manage FTD?
Treat symptoms
SSRI’s may be effective
Psychosocial interventions
DO NOT use AChEi’s!