Publication
Title
The Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia in Down syndrome Scale (BPSD-DS II) : optimization and further validation
Author
Abstract
Background: People with Down syndrome (DS) are at high risk to develop Alzheimer's disease dementia (AD). Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are common and may also serve as early signals for dementia. However, comprehensive evaluation scales for BPSD, adapted to DS, are lacking. Therefore, we previously developed the BPSD-DS scale to identify behavioral changes between the last six months and pre-existing life-long characteristic behavior. Objective: To optimize and further study the scale (discriminative ability and reliability) in a large representative DS study population. Methods: Optimization was based on item irrelevance and clinical experiences obtained in the initial study. Using the shortened and refined BPSD-DS II, informant interviews were conducted to evaluate 524 individuals with DS grouped according to dementia status: no dementia (DS, N=292), questionable dementia (DS + Q, N=119), and clinically diagnosed dementia (DS + AD, N=113). Results: Comparing item change scores between groups revealed prominent changes in frequency and severity for anxious, sleep-related, irritable, restless/stereotypic, apathetic, depressive, and eating/drinking behavior. For most items, the proportion of individuals displaying an increased frequency was highest in DS + AD, intermediate in DS + Q, and lowest in DS. For various items within sections about anxious, sleep-related, irritable, apathetic, and depressive behaviors, the proportion of individuals showing an increased frequency was already substantial in DS + Q, suggesting that these changes may serve as early signals of AD in DS. Reliability data were promising. Conclusion: The optimized scale yields largely similar results as obtained with the initial version. Systematically evaluating BPSD in DS may increase understanding of changes among caregivers and (timely) adaptation of care/treatment.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of Alzheimer's disease. - -
Publication
2021
ISSN
1387-2877
1875-8908 [Electronic]
DOI
10.3233/JAD-201427
Volume/pages
81 :4 (2021) , p. 1505-1527
ISI
000663926600015
Pubmed ID
33967040
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Prediction of conversion to Alzheimer's disease in Down syndrome: a behavioural and neurochemical approach.
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 30.07.2021
Last edited 12.12.2024
To cite this reference