Use of antidepressants in institutionalized patients with dementia and agitation: case report

Abstract

Psychological and behavioral symptoms in dementias are frequent: they affect 90% of patients at some point in the evolution of the disease. Their presence determines in general the institutionalization of the person. Also, in that context, it may lead to an abusive prescription of antipsychotics, despite little evidence regarding its efficacy and adverse effects profile. Following this line, the objective of this work will focus on the “use” and “utility” of an under-examined pharmacological class in agitated patients with dementia: antidepressants. We will share a clinical experience from the report of ten cases of institutionalized patients.