Delusions of Japanese patients with Alzheimer's disease

Background Delusions constitute one of the most prominent psychiatric complications in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, there is little consensus of the prevalence and associated factors for delusions in AD. Aims To reveal the characteristics of delusions among Japanese patients with AD. Method 112 consecutive patients with AD were recruited over a one year period and administered the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Results Delusions were present in 53 patients (47.3%). Delusions of theft were the most common type of delusion (75.5% of patients with delusions), followed by misidentification delusions and delusions of suspicion. More hallucination, agitation, and female gender were found in the delusions group., Conclusions The authors found a high frequency of delusions, particularly of delusions of theft and suggested that gender was associated with the expression of delusions in Japanese patients with AD. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.