Correlation between frailty, BPSD and dementia in the older population in an outpatient setting: a one-year follow-up study

Dementia is characterized by progressive cognitive decline and loss of independence of daily living, with Alzheimer's disease (AD) as the leading cause. Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD) exacerbate caregiver burden and parallel the progression of dementia. The primary objective of my project was to investigate the trajectory of dementia progression in a population of elderly patients followed in an outpatient setting and its correlation with BPSD as predisposing factors. The secondary objective was to evaluate the possible correlation between dementia, frailty and the pharmacological therapy proposed in the outpatient setting of our Memory Clinic. The NPI scale was used to assess the presence and severity of BPSD which were classified into three clusters: “mood/apathy”, ”psychosis” and “hyperactivity”. The results of my study showed a significant association between the presence of disinhibition and hallucinations as major predisponent factors of cognitive decline worsening, according to Mini-Mental State Examination score after 1-year evaluation. From the perspective of pharmacological management of BPSD, no increase in the prescription of antipsychotic drugs was observed, in accordance with the guidelines, while a correlation between the degree of frailty and the progression of dementia was also identified. These findings highlight the need for a more detailed investigation in a larger sample of patients with cognitive impairment and BPSD.