Purpose
We examined the prevalence of apathy in the context of neuropsychiatric symptoms in elderly people with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and no cognitive impairment. The significance of apathy is considered in relation to active patient participation in health maintenance interventions and health maintenance technologies such as remote patient monitoring and state of the art well-being systems.
Methods
Cross-sectional study of 236 consecutive patients out of 650 admitted to an inpatient geriatric ward with a comprehensive geriatric assessment was performed and where a caregiver completed a neuropsychiatric inventory that includes 12 domains: delusions, hallucinations, agitation/aggression, dysphoria/depression, anxiety, euphoria/elation, apathy/indifference, disinhibition, irritability/lability, aberrant motor, nighttime disturbances and appetite/eating disturbances.
Results
Average patient age was 80.7±6.6 years (x +/- SD) within a range of 63 to 99 years, 64.1% women. Apathy was the most frequently reported NPS in patients with dementia and mild cognitive impairment at 69.4% and 61.5%, respectively. In patients without cognitive impairment, the most frequent NPS were appetite/eating disturbances (44.9%), depression (41.5%), and apathy (40%).
Conclusion
While apathy and other neuropsychiatric symptoms among patients with dementia are common, our study shows that these symptoms are also common among patients admitted to a geriatric ward with MCI and no cognitive impairment. Apathy among patients with mild cognitive impairment is significant as these persons are especially susceptible to decline in functional capacity and particularly benefit from early interventions. Apathy should be addressed by clinicians and technology innovators to increase success rates with their healthcare solutions.

Authors:
Krzysztof Wilczynski, Silesian Medical University in Katowice, Poland

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Krzysztof Wilczyński is a University Assistant Professor/Lecturer at Silesian Medical University in Katowice in Poland

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