Psychiatry Flashcards
Define psychosis
Symptom of several mental illnesses which causes the patient to perceive or interpret things differently from those around them, may include hallucinations and delusions
List causes of psychosis
Schizophrenia - most common psychotic disorder
Depression
Bipolar affective disorder - mania with psychotic symptoms
Delusional disorder
Acute and transient psychotic disorders
Schizoaffective disorder
Neurological conditions e.g. Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease
Substance induced psychosis - prescribed or illicit drugs e.g. steroids, cannabis, amphetamines or alcohol
Organic cause - stroke, temporal lobe epilepsy, brain tumours
Describe the presentation and main clinical features of psychosis
Most present between 15-30
Positive symptoms - delusions, hallucination, disorganised thought, speech, behaviour
Negative symptoms - emotional blunting, reduced speech, loss of motivation, self neglect, emotional withdrawal
Describe the presentation and main clinical features of psychosis
Peak age of first episode is between 15-30
May follow major/traumatic life event/stress
Hallucinations - auditory most common
Delusions - paranoid, grandiose, jealous, guilt, referential, somatic, religious
Thought, speech or behaviour disorganisation - tangentiality, word salad, repetitive/odd movements, catatonia
Negative symptoms - reduced emotional expression, decreased motivation, reduced spontaneous speech
Define acute and chronic psychosis
Acute (brief) psychotic disorder - sudden onset psychotic behaviour lasting less than 1 month, followed by complete remission with possible future relapses
Chronic - psychotic behaviour >1 month, or chronic mental illness e.g. schizophrenia where psychotic symptoms are a significant part of the illness picture, requiring treatment
Compare the features of acute and chronic psychosis
Acute
Lack of insight
Auditory hallucinations
Ideas of reference
Suspiciousness
Thought disorder
Flat affect
Voices speaking to patient
Delusions - often of persecution
Thoughts spoken aloud
Chronic - can have features of acute +
Social withdrawal
Lack of conversation
Slowness
Over activity
Odd ideas/behaviour
Depression
Neglect of appearance
Odd postures/movements
Threats or violence
Describe the aetiology of schizophrenia
Combination of psychological, environmental, biological and genetic factors - some people have susceptibility and life experiences act as trigger
Genetic - family history, ethnicity (Afro-Caribbean)
Developmental - obstetric complications (malnutrition, pre-eclampsia, infections), winter birth, reduced brain volume, enlarged ventricles, young cannabis use
Environmental - low socioeconomic status, urban areas, migration, social isolation, adverse life events, family relationships, drug abuse
Neurotransmitters - excess of dopamine in mesocorticolimbic system (positive symptoms), less dopamine in mesocortical tracts (negative symptoms)
Also serotonin and glutamate abnormalities.
List the subtypes of schizophrenia and their defining features
Paranoid schizophrenia - most common, paranoid delusions and auditory hallucinations
Hebephrenic schizophrenia - adolescents and young adults, mood changes, unpredictable behaviour, fragmented hallucinations, poor prognosis with rapidly developing negative symptoms
Simple schizophrenia - negative symptoms only (never experienced positive)
Catatonic schizophrenia - psychomotor features e.g. posturing, rigidity, stupor
Undifferentiated schizophrenia - symptoms do not fit with other categories
Residual schizophrenia - negative symptoms, positive symptoms have ‘burnt out’
Describe the clinical features of schizophrenia
Positive symptoms
Thought echo - hearing own thoughts out loud*
Thought insertion or withdrawal*
Thought broadcasting*
3rd person auditory hallucinations*
Delusional perception*
Passivity and somatic passivity*
Odd behaviour
Thought disorder
Lack of insight
- = first-rank symptoms
Negative symptoms
Blunted affect
Apathy
Social isolation
Poverty of speech
Poor self-care
Alogia - poverty of speech
Avolition - lack of motivation/interest
Describe the typical natural course of schizophrenia
Psychosis may be preceded by prodromal period that can last from days - year
Prodromal symptoms - sleep disturbance, problems with memory, concentration, communication, affect and motivation, transient low-intensity psychotic episodes with hallucinations or delusions
Prodrome usually followed by acute psychotic episode with hallucinations, delusions and behavioural disturbances
Usually present at this point, brought in by family, police or self, and will have interventions which lead to regression/resolution of symptoms - may still have negative symptoms
Most common course is initial improvement of symptoms with ongoing recurrent acute psychotic episodes or relapses over many years - 15% have symptoms unresponsive to treatment initially
Describe the diagnostic criteria for schizophrenia
- First-rank symptom or persistent delusion present for at least one month
Auditory hallucinations
Delusions of thought interference
Passivity
Delusional perception - No other causes for psychosis e.g. drug intoxication or withdrawal, brain disease, extensive depressive or manic symptoms
Describe the treatment strategy for schizophrenia
First episode psychosis - oral antipsychotic medication (usually atypical 1st line) + psychological interventions (family therapy, CBT)
May need inpatient care, may be under Mental Health Act
Start antipsychotic dose low and titrate up
Ongoing management - monitor for side effects of pharmacological management, if treatment resistant can try alternatives (clozapine used when others ineffective), important to consider social aspects e.g. housing, crisis resolution for relapses
List the pharmacological options for management of psychosis and schizophrenia, describe their MOA and give examples
D2 (dopamine) receptor antagonists
Typical - generalised dopamine receptor blockade
Haloperidol
Chlorpromazine
Flupentixol decanoate (depot injection)
Atypical - more selective dopamine blockade, also block serotonin 5-HT2 receptors
Olanzapine
Risperidone (depot injection)
Clozapine
Amisulpride
Quetiapine
List side effects of typical antipsychotics
Extra-pyramidal side effects - Parkinsonism, akathisia (restlessness), dystonia, dyskinesia
Hyperprolactinaemia - sexual dysfunction, osteoporosis, amenorrhoea, galactorrhoea, gynocomastia and hypogonadism in men
Metabolic - weight gain, increased risk T2DM, hyperlipidaemia
Anticholinergic - tachycardia, blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention
Neurological - seizures, neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Cardiovascular - tachycardia, arrhythmias, QT prolongation, postural hypotension
List side effects of atypical antipsychotics and compare these to typical antipsychotics
Less likely to cause extra-pyramidal side effects and hyperprolactinaemia than typicals
Clozapine - agranulocytosis (requires monitoring for neutrophil levels)
Metabolic - weight gain, T2DM, hyperlipidaemia
Anticholinergic - tachycardia, blurred vision, dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention
Neurological - seizures, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (lower risk than typicals)
Cardiovascular - tachycardia, arrhythmias, QT prolongation, postural hypotension
List factors which are associated with a poorer prognosis in schizophrenia
Delayed diagnosis/management - longer initial psychotic episode/prodromal period
Lack of clear precipitant
Low IQ
Drug misuse
Low social functioning prior to onset of disease
Prominent negative symptoms
Poor response to antipsychotic medication
List complications of schizophrenia
Suicide
CVD
Cancer
Substance misuse
Social isolation
Describe the indications, side effects and monitoring required for clozapine
Used in treatment-resistant schizophrenia - if not responded to treatment with at least two other antipsychotics (usually one first-generation and one second-generation), or not tolerated other options
Common side effects
Sedation
Constipation
Tachycardia
Weight gain
Hypersalivation
Hypo/hypertension
Hyperglycaemia
Rare but serious side effects
Neutropaenia, agranulocytosis
Seizures
Cardiac - myocarditis, cardiomyopathy
Constipation can lead to ileus, bowel obstruction
Monitoring
Initially weekly FBC
Plasma clozapine levels sometimes monitored - compliance, high dose, smoking status changes (rises with reduction/cessation)
Seek urgent medical assessment if develop flu-like symptoms
List contraindications/cautions for antipsychotic medications
Atypical (e.g. haloperidol) - congenital long QT, history of torsades de pointes, recent acute MI, uncorrected hypokalaemia, uncompensated heart failure, with other drugs which prolong QT
Cautions for all antipsychotic drugs:
CNS depression, other drugs which cause CNS depression e.g. benzodiazepines
Cardiovascular disease
Conditions predisposing to seizures, epilepsy
Diabetes
Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body disease
Prostatic hypertrophy or history of urinary retention
Elderly, frail, prone to falls
Prolactin-dependent tumours
Risk factors for stroke
Risk of closed angle glaucoma
Pregnancy, especially first trimester
List the indications for antipsychotic drug treatment
Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorders - typical and atypical for acute episodes and maintenance therapy (typical better for positive symptoms, atypical for both positive and negative)
Acute mania - typical and atypical (except clozapine) + mood stabilisers
Major depressive disorder with psychotic features - typical and atypical + antidepressant
Delusional disorder - typical
Severe agitation - short-term, where other methods have failed
Tourette disorder - haloperidol, pimozide
Borderline personality disorder with psychotic symptoms
Dementia and delirium - low dose, short-term, where other methods have failed
Substance-induced psychotic disorder - caution with typicals in alcohol withdrawal
List risk factors which contribute to the aetiology of depression
Biological:
FH
Female sex
Age - teens-40s
Substance misuse
Physical health problems - Parkinson’s, MS, hypothyroidism, chronic illness
Psychological:
Personality traits - dependent, anxious, obsessional
Low self esteem
Childhood trauma
Traumatic life events
Social:
Lack of social support
Low socioeconomic status
Marital status - divorced
Unemployment
Describe the clinical features of depression
Symptoms >2 weeks, not attributable to organic or substance causes, impair daily function and cause significant distress
Core symptoms:
Low mood
Anhedonia
Lack of energy
Cognitive symptoms:
Feelings of guilt, uselessness, worthlessness
Suicidal thoughts
Poor concentration
Functional/somatic symptoms:
Sleep disturbance - early waking, insomnia
Weight loss/gain, appetite loss
Loss of libido
Psychomotor agitation or retardation
Memory problems
Can have hallucinations and delusions - usually mood congruent
List the differential diagnoses for depression
Depressive episode due to substance/medication
Bipolar affective disorder
Pre-menstrual dysphoric disorder
Bereavement/normal reaction to life event
Anxiety disorder
Organic cause - hypothyroidism, Cushing’s
How is depression managed?
Mild depression (2 typical core symptoms and two other core symptoms):
Short-term - low-intensity psychosocial interventions (CBT, mindfulness and meditation), SSRI antidepressants if patient preference, history of more severe depression, depression >2 years, continuing symptoms after other interventions
Moderate or severe depression (two typical core symptoms + >3 other core symptoms):
Short-term - high-intensity psychosocial interventions (CBT, counselling, psychotherapy), antidepressants (e.g. SSRI, SNRI)
If depressive episode with psychotic symptoms - antipsychotic also given (quetiapine or olanzapine)
ECT if severe, unresponsive to treatment, life-threatening
Long-term for mild, moderate or severe - risk assessment, review response to pyschosocial and drug treatment, assess social support, relapse prevention plan
When is ECT offered for treatment of depression?
Patient has strong preference - usually have responded well before
Rapid treatment required - life-threatening depression where patient is not eating/drinking, while waiting for effects of antidepressant therapy
Multiple other treatments have been trialled unsuccessfully
Describe the indications, contraindications of SSRIs
Indications - first-line for moderate-severe depression, may be used in mild depression if long-term/other interventions failed
Also used in EDs, anxiety disorders
Contraindications:
Bipolar affective disorder, manic episode or history of mania
Poorly controlled epilepsy
Known QT prolongation, congenital long QT or concurrent use of drugs which prolong QT (citalopram and escitalopram)
Severe hepatic impairment (sertraline)
Describe the cause and presentation of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Rare adverse effect of all antipsychotics
Fever
Sweating
Rigidity
Confusion
Fluctuating consciousness
Fluctuating blood pressure
Tachycardia
Raised CK
Leucocytosis
LFT derangement
Which drugs commonly interact with antipsychotics?
Sedatives e.g. sedating antihistamines
Drugs which cause hypotension
Drugs which prolong QT e.g. erythromycin
Azole antifungals - increase levels of some antipsychotics (e.g. haloperidol)
Carbamazepine - decreases levels of antipsychotics
Grapefruit juice - increases levels of pimozide
SSRI - increase levels of some antipsychotics (e.g. haloperidol and fluoxetine)
Smoking cessation - increases level of olanzapine and clozapine
Give examples of SSRIs
Fluoxetine
Sertraline
Citalopram
Escitalopram
Paroxetine
List important adverse effects of SSRIs
Cardiac - palpitations, QT prolongation (citalopram and escitalopram), torsade de pointes
GI - reduced appetite, diarrhoea, nausea, constipation, vomiting, weight changes, hepatitis (rare)
CNS - sleep disorders (insomnia common), headache, dizziness, reduced seizure threshold, drowsiness, serotonin syndrome (rare)
Psychiatric - anxiety, memory problems, suicidal thoughts
Skin - hyperhidrosis (common)
Other - menstrual cycle abnormalities, sexual dysfunction, hyponatraemia (especially in elderly), impaired diabetic control, bleeding
List the risk factors for bipolar affective disorder
Genetic:
Very heritable - 5x greater lifetime risk if first degree relative with bipolar disorder
Environmental:
Maternal infections - toxoplasma gondii
Premature birth
Early life stress - childhood abuse/trauma
Cannabis and cocaine use
Describe the types of bipolar affective disorder
Bipolar I - has had at least one episode of mania
Bipolar II - has had at least one episode of hypomania (but never an episode of mania), and at least one episode of major depression
Describe the clinical features of bipolar affective disorder
Mania - >7 days, usually begin abruptly, caused marked impairment of social/occupational functioning
Abnormally elevated mood, extreme irritability, increased energy or activity, restlessness, decreased need for sleep
Pressure of speech, flight of ideas, racing thoughts, poor concentration
Increased libido, disinhibition, sexual indiscretions
Psychotic symptoms - delusions (usually grandiose) or hallucinations (usually voices)
Hypomania - not severe enough to cause functional impairment, no psychotic features, 4-7 days
Mild elevation or mood or irritability
Increased energy and activity, may lead to increased performance at work/socially
Increased sociability
Depression - persistent low mood, anhedonia, low energy (+ other features)
What are the differential diagnoses for bipolar affective disorder? How are these distinguished from bipolar affective disorder?
Unipolar depression - no manic/hypomanic episodes
Cyclothymia - chronic disturbance of mood where symptoms do not meet criteria for bipolar disorder or depression
Schizophrenia - absence of prominent mood symptoms, auditory hallucinations usually 3rd person rather than 2nd person
Mood disorder due to underlying medical condition e.g. thyroid
Substance misuse - symptoms subside within 7 days
Personality disorders - rapid mood changes, do not occur in cycles
How is bipolar affective disorder managed?
Risk assessment - include potential consequences of poor judgement/actions during acute episodes (employment, relationships, finance, sexual activity, alcohol/drug use)
Acute phase management:
Mania - antipsychotic (haloperidol, olanzapine, quetiapine or risperidone), if two antipsychotics are tried and do not give response may add lithium or sodium valproate (unless pre-menopausal woman)
Depression - antipsychotic +/- antidepressant (fluoxetine), lamotrigine
Long-term management:
Relapse prevention - continue treatment for mania, start long term lithium or add valproate if lithium alone not effective
Psychological therapies specifically for bipolar depression
Important to take measures e.g. appointing power of attorney, advance statement to ensure wishes are known during possible future episodes
List risk factors for generalised anxiety disorder
Female sex
Comorbid anxiety disorder e.g. social phobia
Childhood adversity - maltreatment, neglect, domestic violence, bullying
History of physical, sexual or emotional trauma
Sociodemographic factors - divorce, unemployment, low socioeconomic status, low education level
Chronic physical condition e.g. cancer
Describe the physical features of generalised anxiety disorder
Psychological symptoms:
Chronic, excessive feelings of worry not related to particular circumstances
Restlessness
Sense of dread
Feeling constantly on edge
Difficulty concentrating, easily distracted
Feelings of detachment - derealisation, depersonalisation
Fear of losing control
Fear of dying
Panic attacks
Sleep disturbance
Physical symptoms:
Chest/abdo -
Nausea/churning stomach
Palpitations
Chest pain
Tachypnoea
Lightheadedness
Arousal symptoms -
Sweating
Dry mouth
Difficulty swallowing
Muscle stiffness/aches
Tremor
List the differential diagnoses of generalised anxiety disorder
Situational anxiety - controllable, no pathological symptoms, related to particular situation
Adjustment disorder - temporary anxiety in response to a life stressor, <6 months
Depression
Panic disorder - recurrent episodes of sudden onset anxiety, absence of multi-themed worry, physical symptoms during episodes, avoidance behaviours (often comorbid)
Social phobia - limited to social situation, avoidance behaviour common
Obsessive-compulsive disorder - anxiety due to compulsions/obsessions
Post-traumatic stress disorder - anxiety caused by exposure to reminders of past trauma, flashbacks and nightmares
Anorexia nervosa - anxiety related to fear of gaining weight
Substance or drug-induced anxiety disorder, or withdrawal related anxiety
How is generalised anxiety disorder managed?
Step 1 - education about GAD and treatment options, active monitoring
Step 2 - low-intensity psychological interventions (individual self-help, psychoeducational groups)
Step 3 - high-intensity psychological intervention (e.g. CBT) or drug treatment (SSRI - sertraline usually offered first, other SSRI or SNRI if ineffective)
Step 4 - complex drug and/or psychological treatment regimen, inpatient care
List features of phobic anxiety disorders
Anxiety evoked only/predominantly by a specific external situation, e.g.
Agoraphobia - crowds, public places, leaving home
Social phobia - low self esteem, fear of criticism/embarrassment
Claustrophobia
Anticipatory anxiety - about exposure to precipitant and anxiety itself
Somatic symptoms - palpitations, sweating etc.
List features of panic disorder
Recurrent unpredictable episodes of severe acute anxiety, not restricted to particular stimuli or situations
Crescendo of anxiety
Somatic symptoms
Secondary fear of dying/losing control - often related to somatic symptoms
List features of post-traumatic stress disorder
Develops following exposure to extremely traumatic event/series of events
Features - HARD:
Hyperarousal - persistently heightened perception of current threat
Avoidance of situations reminiscent of events or memories of events
Re-experiencing events - intrusive memories, flashbacks, nightmares
Distress - strong/overwhelming fear and physical sensations when re-experiencing
How is PTSD managed?
Prevention (for those with acute stress disorder or symptoms of PTSD within 1 month exposure to traumatic events) - psychological interventions e.g. cognitive processing therapy
> 1 month from traumatic events - treatment
Psychological treatment - trauma-focused CBT
Eye movement densensitisation and reprocessing (EDMR)
Drug treatment - SSRI or venlafaxine, antipsychotics only if no response to other treatments and psychotic symptoms
How is social anxiety disorder managed?
CBT
SSRI - escitalopram or sertraline
How is OCD managed?
Step 1 - Low intensity psychological treatment - brief individual CBT, group CBT
Step 2 - SSRI
Step 3 - Combined CBT + SSRI
List drugs which act as mood stabilisers
Lithium
Carbamazepine
Sodium valproate
List the indications for lithium treatment
Acute treatment of mania or hypomania in bipolar disorder
Prophylaxis/maintenance in bipolar disorder and schizoaffective disorder
Prophylaxis in recurrent depressive illness
Augmentation of antidepressants in acute depressive illness
Treatment of depression in bipolar disorder
List the contraindications to treatment with lithium
Addison’s disease
Cardiac disease associated with rhythm disorder - ECG required prior to treatment
Cardiac insufficiency
Dehydration
Family or personal history of Brugada syndrome
Low sodium diet
Untreated hypothyroidism - TFTs required prior to treatment
Pregnancy - causes tricuspid deformity
List adverse effects of lithium
LITHIUM -
L - lethargy
I - insipidus (diabetes insipidus - increased thirst, excessive urination)
T - tremor
H - hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism
I - insides (GI - nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea)
U - urine (increased)
M - metallic taste, muscle weakness
Others -
Weight gain
Renal tubular necrosis - renal failure
Confusion, drowsiness, feeling dazed
Seizures
List adverse effects of lithium
LITHIUM -
L - lethargy
I - insipidus (diabetes insipidus - increased thirst, excessive urination)
T - tremor
H - hypothyroidism, hyperparathyroidism
I - insides (GI - nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea)
U - urine (increased)
M - metallic taste, muscle weakness
Others -
Weight gain
Renal tubular necrosis - renal failure
Confusion, drowsiness
Seizures
Toxicity
Describe the presentation of lithium toxicity. What level of lithium in serum is toxic?
Initially -
Fine tremor
Nausea/vomiting
Dizziness
Progresses to -
Course tremor
Ataxia
Dysarthria
Drowsiness
Confusion
Seizures
Coma
Death
Serum level >1.2mmol/L
What investigations and management is required in lithium overdose?
Investigations - serum lithium level, U&Es, ECG
Management -
Increase clearance via IV fluids
Reduce absorption via gastric lavage, whole bowel irrigation
Describe the clinical features of serotonin syndrome
Neurological - myoclonus, nystagmus, headache, tremor, rigidity, seizures
Mental state - irritability, confusion, agitation, hypomania, coma
Other - hyperpyrexia, sweating, diarrhoea, cardiac arrhythmias, death
List key drugs which interact with lithium and what the result of these interactions is
Thiazide (and loop to a lesser extent) diuretics, ACE inhibitors - increase lithium levels by reducing clearance, can cause toxicity
NSAIDs - increase lithium levels
Haloperidol, carbemazepine, serotonergic antidepressants - can cause severe neurotoxicity
How is a patient on lithium monitored?
Serum lithium levels measured one week after starting treatment/changing dose and once weekly until levels stable, then usually every 3 months (12 hours post-dose)
6 monthly -
Weight/BMI
U&Es including eGFR
Calcium
Thyroid function tests
What are the indications for anticonvulsants in bipolar affective disorder? Which drugs are used?
When lithium is ineffective/poorly tolerated in long-term prophylaxis for bipolar disorder
As an alternative to antipsychotic/lithium for mania/hypomania (valproate only)
1st line - valproate (unless woman of childbearing age)
Other options - lamotrigine, carbemazepine
List the contraindications to treatment with valproate
Active liver disease
Personal or family history of severe, drug-related hepatic dysfunction
Acute porphyria
Mitochondral disorders of polymerase gamma enzyme e.g. Alpers-Hutternlocher syndrome
List adverse effects of valproate
Gastric irritation, nausea
Lethargy/confusion
Weight gain
Hair loss, curly regrowth
Peripheral oedema
Rarely hepatic failure
Hyperandrogenism in women - menstrual cycle abnormalities, PCOS, fertility dysfunction
Thrombocytopaenia, leucopaenia, red cell hypoplasia
Pancreatitis
Seizures
Suicidal thoughts
What are the contraindications to treatment with lamotrigine?
Myoclonic seizures - may exacerbate
Parkinson’s disease - may exacerbate
Brugada syndrome
List adverse effects of lamotrigine
Skin rash - can be severe e.g. Stevens-Johnson syndrome/TEN
GI - nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea
Aggression, agitation
Diplopia, blurred vision, conjunctivities
Confusion, nightmares, hallucinations
Suicidal thoughts
List contraindications to carbemazepine treatment
Acute porphyrias
AV conduction abnormalities (unless paced)
History of bone marrow depression
Acute liver disease
Some HLA alleles predispose to cutaneous reactions e.g. Stevens-Johnson syndrome
List adverse effects of carbamazepine
GI discomfort, nausea
Dizziness
Drowsiness, fatigue
Headache
Leucopaenia, thrombocytopaenia
Skin reactions
Weight gain
Movement disorders e.g. ataxia
Describe the clinical features of cyclothymia
Similar to bipolar disorder with periods of depression and hypomania, but no episodes which meet criteria for a major depressive episode or manic episode
Symptoms >2 years
Describe the clinical features of catatonic depression
Usually underlying diagnosis of psychiatric illness - will present with worsening depression, mania or psychosis and catatonic symptoms
Motor disturbance - reduction in movement, agitation or mixture of both
Repetitive or purposeless movements and mannerisms
Rigidity, waxy flexibility
Mutism, echolalia (repetition of others speech), verbigeration (repeating meaningless phrases)
Refusal to eat/drink
Malignant catatonia - life-threatening autonomic dysfunction including fever, abnormalities in blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, sweating, delirium
Describe the clinical features of seasonal affective disorder
Multiple depressive episodes (low mood, anhedonia, lack of energy, sleep and appetite problems, poor concentration, decreased libido) which have occurred during the same season in different years, usually winter
Define dementia
Progressive, irreversible clinical syndrome with impairment of more than one aspect of higher brain function (concentration, memory, language, personality, emotion), without impairment of consciousness
Range of cognitive and behavioural symptoms including memory loss, problems in reasoning and communication, change in personality and reduction in ability to carry out daily activities
Not attributable to normal ageing
List the most causes of dementia and their pathophysiology
Alzheimer’s dementia - amyloid plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles
Vascular dementia - multiple small cerebrovascular infarcts
Lewy body dementia - Lewy body protein (alpha-synuclein) deposits
Fronto-temporal dementia (including Pick’s disease) - deposition of abnormal proteins (often tau) in frontal and temporal lobes
Prion protein diseases (CJD) - eating cattle meat infected with bovine spongiform encephalopathy
HIV-related dementia
Parkinson’s disease dementia - loss of dopaminergic neurons in substantia nigra
Describe the clinical presentation of dementia generally
Usually insidious onset with non-specific signs/symptoms
Cognitive impairment - memory loss, problems with reasoning and communication, difficulty making decisions, dysphagia, difficult carrying out coordinated movements, disorientated and unawareness of time and place, impairment of executive function (planning, judgement, problem solving)
Behavioural and psychological symptoms - psychosis (delusions, hallucinations), agitation and emotional lability, depression and anxiety, withdrawal or apathy, disinhibition, motor disturbance, sleep cycle disturbance and insomnia
Describe symptoms related to specific subtypes of dementia
Alzheimer’s - loss of short term and episodic memory, difficulty with executive dysfunction, aphasia, apraxia, agnosia
Vascular dementia - stepwise increases in severity of symptoms, may have focal neurological signs e.g. hemiparesis
Dementia with Lewy bodies - fluctuating cognition, recurrent visual hallucinations, features of Parkinsonism (bradykinesia, rest tremor, rigidity)
Frontotemporal dementia - personality change and behavioural disturbance with other cognitive functions relatively preserved initially
How should a patient presenting with dementia be assessed?
History from patient and collateral e.g. from family member
Blood tests to exclude reversible causes - FBC, ESR, CRP, U&Es, calcium, HbAlc, LFTs, TFTs, serum B12 and folate
May need urinalysis, CXR, ECG, syphilis serology, HIV testing
Assess cognition with scoring system e.g. 10-point cognitive screener or memory impairment screen
Specialist diagnosis of dementia subtype - can do further testing e.g. CSF analysis, PET scanning
Structural imaging e.g. MRI/CT
What are the principles of dementia management?
Involve family members and make care plan early
Non-pharmacological interventions - cognitive stimulation therapy, group reminiscence therapy, cognitive rehabilitation, occupational therapy
Pharmacological management - acetylcholinesterase inhibitors +/-memantine for mild to moderate Alzheimer’s, vascular dementia with Alzheimer’s and Lewy body dementia
Management of behavioural symptoms - attempt non-pharmacological first, give antipsychotics if risk of harm/severe distress
Describe the pharmacological options for management of dementia
Three acetylcholinesterase inhibitors - donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine
Memantine - glutamate receptor antagonist
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors are first line for mild - moderate Alzheimer’s and mild, moderate or severe Lewy body dementia
Memantine for those intolerant/contraindication to AChE inhibitors, first line for severe Alzheimer’s
AChE + memantine for moderate - severe disease
Describe the contraindications and side effects of acetylcholinesterate inhibitors
AChE inhibitors contraindications:
Galantamine - severe renal/hepatic impairment, urinary outflow obstruction, GI obstruction
All - hypersensitivity to drugs, pregnancy/breastfeeding, history of bradycardia/heart block
Adverse effects:
Vomiting, nausea, anorexia, weight loss
Dizziness, drowsiness
Arrhythmias
Headache
Hallucinations
Rarely - neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Describe the contraindications and adverse effects of memantine
Contraindications - severe hepatic/renal impairment, history of seizures/predisposing factors for epilepsy, hypersensitivity
Adverse effects -
Constipation
Hypertension
Dyspnoea
Headache
Dizziness
Impaired balance
Drowsiness
Rarely - seizures, depression, suicidal ideation
Define delirium
Acute, fluctuating, transient disturbance in level of consciousness, attention, global cognition and perception with an organic, reversible cause
List predisposing and precipitating factors for delirium
Predisposing:
Older age
Cognitive impairment e.g. dementia
Frailty/multi-morbidity
Significant injuries
Functional impairment
History of, or current, alcohol excess
Sensory impairment
Poor nutrition
Precipitating:
Infection e.g. UTI, pneumonia
Metabolic disturbance e.g. hypoglycaemia
Cardiovascular, respiratory or neurological disorders - MI, PE, stroke
Urinary retention
Hepatic failure, constipation
Severe pain
Alcohol intoxication or withdrawal
Medication - opioids, benzodiazepines, antihistamines, antipsychotics
Psychosocial factors - sleep deprivation, emotional stress, change of environment
Describe the clinical features of delirium
Acute - hours - days
Evidence of precipitating factor e.g. infection
Fluctuating symptoms - usually worse at night
Altered cognitive function - disorientated, memory/language impairment, poor concentration, confusion
Inattention
Disorganised thinking
Altered perception - delusions, visual/auditory hallucinations
Altered social behaviour - mood changes, inappropriate behaviour
Altered level of consciousness, sleep-cycle disturbance
How is delirium managed?
Identify and manage underlying cause
Gentle reorientation and reassurance
Short-term haloperidol for distress only if other measures have failed and patient is a risk to themselves or others
Describe the clinical features of schizoaffective disorder
Symptoms of schizophrenia (usually psychosis) and a mood disorder - usually bipolar disorder and depression
Have to have episodes of mood disorder-free psychosis in the context of a long term mood disorder
(If only psychotic symptoms during mood episode it is mood disorder with psychotic features not schizoaffective disorder)
Psychosis including delusions, hallucinations, disorganised thinking/speech/behaviour and negative symptoms
Mood symptoms - mania, hypomania, mixed or depression
Describe the classification of personality disorders and list disorders which belong to each type
Cluster A - ‘odd or eccentric’
Paranoid personality disorder
Schizoid personality disorder
Schizotypal personality
Cluster B - ‘dramatic, emotional or erratic’
Antisocial personality disorder
Borderline personality disorder
Histrionic personality disorder
Narcissistic personality disorder
Cluster C - ‘anxious or fearful’
Avoidant personality disorder
Dependent personality disorder
Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder
Describe the features of paranoid personality disorder
Suspicious
Hypersensitivity, easily offended
Unforgiving
Questions loyalty
Preoccupation with conspiratorial beliefs and hidden meaning
Perceives attacks on their character
Describe the features of schizoid personality disorder
Socially withdrawn
Preference for solitary activities
No emotional pleasure from activities
Emotional coldness
Indifferent to praise or criticism
Little interest in sexual interactions
Few friends/confidants
Describe the features of schizotypal personality disorder
Odd beliefs and magical thinking
Inappropriate affect
Odd speech but coherent
Unusual perceptual disturbances
Paranoid ideation and suspiciousness
Social and interpersonal deficits
Describe the features of antisocial personality disorder
No regard for social norms, rules and obligations e.g. the law
Unable to maintain relationships, consistent work, honour financial obligations
Lack of remorse
Deception - repeated lying, conning others
Impulsiveness
Irritability and aggressiveness
Reckless disregard for safety of self or others
Unable to experience guilt, no concern for others feelings
Describe the clinical features of borderline personality disorder
Intense, unstable relationships
Impulsivity
Unstable mood, angry outbursts
Unstable self imaging
Avoidance of real or imagined abandonment
Self harm, suicidal behaviour
Feelings of emptiness
Quasi-psychotic thoughts - short-lived, less bizarre than real psychosis
Describe the clinical features of histrionic personality disorder
Dramatic/theatrical
Inappropriately seductive
Need to be the centre of attention
Easily influenced
Preoccupied with physical appearance
Describe the clinical features of narcissistic personality disorder
Grandiose sense of self importance
Sense of entitlement
Lack of empathy
Very sensitive
Preoccupied with fantasies of success, power, beauty
Belief they are ‘special’ and ‘unique’
Need for admiration
Envious of others
Interpersonally exploitative
Arrogant/haughty attitude