González-Concepción Juan J, Geil Kenneth, Jiménez-Velázquez Ivonne Z, Ramos-Romey Cristina
Internal Medicine Department, Geriatric Medicine Program, University of Puerto Rico Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR.
Bol Asoc Med P R. 2009 Jan-Mar;101(1):51-3.
Dementia is characterized by a progressive deterioration of memory and cognitive function that occurs mostly in the elderly population. In the United States nearly 4.5 million people suffers dementia. Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are defined as agitation, delusions, hallucinations, anxiety, and aggressiveness in patients diagnosed with this condition. One of the most useful therapeutic approaches for behavioral symptoms is antipsychotic medications, though there is no ill-established evidence about their efficacy. This article review possible benefits as well as side effects of these drugs. A detailed orientation about antipsychotic side effects and risks should be given to patients and caregivers, to obtain an appropriate and informed consent decision.
痴呆症的特征是记忆和认知功能逐渐衰退，这主要发生在老年人群中。在美国，近450万人患有痴呆症。痴呆症的行为和心理症状（BPSD）被定义为被诊断患有这种疾病的患者出现的激动、妄想、幻觉、焦虑和攻击性。针对行为症状最有效的治疗方法之一是使用抗精神病药物，不过关于其疗效并没有确凿的证据。本文回顾了这些药物可能的益处以及副作用。应该向患者和护理人员详细说明抗精神病药物的副作用和风险，以便做出适当且明智的同意决定。
