The Impact of Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia on Mental Health, Sleep Quality, and Caregiver’s Burden

Objectives

This study examined sleep quality and potential psychological symptoms in primary caregivers of patients with varying dementia severity, considering the presence or absence of significant Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (BPSD).

Methods

A total of 280 dementia patients (130 with BPSD, 150 without) and their caregivers were included. Patients with Clinical Dementia Rating scores from 0.5 to 2 were assessed. Caregivers’ psychological symptoms, sleep quality, and burden were evaluated using the Symptom Checklist-90-Revised, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and Caregiver Burden Inventory.

Results

Caregivers of patients with BPSD reported significantly greater psychological distress, burden, and poorer sleep quality than those caring for patients without BPSD. Their distress spanned multiple symptom dimensions, including depression and anxiety. Somatization and phobic anxiety were also more pronounced in caregivers of mild and moderate dementia with BPSD. Among caregivers of patients with BPSD, those of individuals with moderate dementia experienced the highest distress, burden, and poorest sleep quality compared to those with very mild dementia.

Conclusions

BPSD is a major contributor to greater caregiver distress, sleep disturbances, and burden, regardless of dementia severity, or duration alone. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to manage BPSD, which may help alleviate caregiver psychological distress and improve sleep quality.