Prevalence of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment

Abstract

Dementia is a serious public health problem with an increasing prevalence because of the aging of the population.¹ Dementia is characterized by global cognitive decline sufficient to affect functioning.² It is a chronic illness with seriously disabling effects for patients, their families, and society.² Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) describes cognitive impairment in elderly persons not of sufficient severity to qualify for a diagnosis of dementia.³ Individuals with MCI have complaints of impairment in memory or other areas of cognitive functioning usually noticeable to those around them. In addition, their performance on memory and cognitive tests is below that expected for their age and education. However, their day-to-day functioning is generally preserved. Several operational definitions for MCI have been proposed.^3,4 Mild cognitive impairment is a chronic condition and may be a precursor to Alzheimer-type dementia.⁴ Mild cognitive impairment is often worrisome to patients and families, and is increasingly a presenting complaint for care.