A retrospective chart review was undertaken to assess the prevalence of
specifically defined psychiatric symptoms in 217 outpatients with
clinically probable Alzheimer's disease. A weak but significant correlation
was found between Alzheimer's disease and suspiciousness and paranoia
(reported by 35.5% of patients), delusions (30%), and formed visual
hallucinations (18.4%). Mild depressive symptoms, such as sad affect,
hopelessness, and helplessness were reported by 40.6% of patients, anxiety
and fearfulness by 30.9%, and aggressive acts by 24.9%. Psychotropic
medications used to manage these symptoms included antipsychotics, in 11.5%
of patients, anxiolytics, in 9.2%, and antidepressants, in 7.4%.
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