Symptoms and Treatment Needs of People with Dementia-Related Psychosis: A Mixed-Methods Study of the Patient Experience
Symptoms and Treatment Needs of People with Dementia-Related Psychosis: A Mixed-Methods Study of the Patient Experience
Authors: Teresa Brandt , PhD,Theresa Frangiosa , MBA,Virginia Biggar , BA,Angela Taylor , BA,James Valentine , JD,Bill Keller , MBA,Mark Price , PhD,Carla DeMuro , MS &Victor Abler , DO
Abstract:
Objectives
This study describes the person-centered experience and impact of symptoms and the treatment needs of dementia-related psychosis (DRP) from a patient and care partner perspective.
Methods
Qualitative interviews and a quantitative survey were used to collect patient experience data from persons with DRP or their care partners.
Results
Sixteen participants (1 person with DRP, 15 care partners) completed the qualitative interview; 212 participants (26 persons with DRP, 186 care partners) completed the quantitative survey. The most commonly reported symptoms were visual hallucinations, auditory hallucinations, persecutory delusions, and distortion of senses. The most common impacts were difficulty differentiating what is real from what is not real, increased anxiety, and effects on personal relationships. Current treatments were less than moderately helpful, and the ability to distinguish what is real from what is not real and overall symptom improvement were described as the most important benefits of an ideal treatment.
Conclusions
Patient experience data provide insights into urgent therapeutic needs of patients by describing the nature, frequency, and severity of symptoms and the impacts they have on individuals’ lives.
Clinical Implications
Patient experience data demonstrate an unmet need for treatments to reduce the symptoms and impacts of DRP.