Neuropsychiatric symptoms in older adults with and without dementia in urban and rural regions. Results of the 10/66 Dementia Research Group in Mexico

Objective. To describe, in a Mexican sample of urban and rural residents older than 65 years, with and without dementia, the frequency and severity of neuropsychiatric symptoms. Material and methods. This work is part of the multi-center, epidemiological study carried out by the 10/66 Dementia Research Group, with 1,003 subjects from an urban region and 1,000 subjects from a rural region. Neuropsychiatric symptoms were assessed with the abbreviated version of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI-Q). Results. Eighty six and eighty five dementia cases were found in the urban and rural regions, respectively. Subjects with dementia were more frequently widows, older and less educated, and the ones from the rural region had fewer neuropsychiatric symptoms, compared to the urban region. In both regions all symptoms were more severe in subjects with dementia. A high frequency of affective symptoms (depression and apathy specially) was observed, and irritability and anxiety in second term. The care-giver stress levels were associated with the frequency and severity of symptoms. Conclusions. This is the first study reporting neuropsychiatric symptoms associated with dementia identified by means of culturally validated and population based diagnostic criteria, in Mexican residents of urban and rural settings.