This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/health-14138884
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
Painkillers 'may ease agitation' in dementia patients | Painkillers 'may ease agitation' in dementia patients |
(about 1 hour later) | |
By Jane Hughes Health correspondent, BBC News | By Jane Hughes Health correspondent, BBC News |
Many dementia patients being prescribed "chemical cosh" antipsychotic drugs could be better treated with simple painkillers, research says. | Many dementia patients being prescribed "chemical cosh" antipsychotic drugs could be better treated with simple painkillers, research says. |
The British and Norwegian study, published on the BMJ website, found painkillers significantly cut agitation in dementia patients. | The British and Norwegian study, published on the BMJ website, found painkillers significantly cut agitation in dementia patients. |
Agitation, a common dementia symptom, is often treated with antipsychotic drugs, which have risky side effects. | Agitation, a common dementia symptom, is often treated with antipsychotic drugs, which have risky side effects. |
The Alzheimer's Society wants doctors to consider other types of treatment. | The Alzheimer's Society wants doctors to consider other types of treatment. |
Experts say that each year about 150,000 patients in the UK are unnecessarily prescribed antipsychotics, which have a powerful sedative effect, and can worsen dementia symptoms, and increase the risk of stroke or even death. | Experts say that each year about 150,000 patients in the UK are unnecessarily prescribed antipsychotics, which have a powerful sedative effect, and can worsen dementia symptoms, and increase the risk of stroke or even death. |
They are often given to patients whose dementia makes them aggressive or agitated. | They are often given to patients whose dementia makes them aggressive or agitated. |
But researchers from Kings College, London, and Norway speculated that the behaviour may sometimes be caused by pain, which patients were unable to express in other ways. | But researchers from Kings College, London, and Norway speculated that the behaviour may sometimes be caused by pain, which patients were unable to express in other ways. |
They studied 352 patients with moderate or severe dementia in nursing homes in Norway. | They studied 352 patients with moderate or severe dementia in nursing homes in Norway. |
Half were given painkillers with every meal, the rest continued with their usual treatments. | Half were given painkillers with every meal, the rest continued with their usual treatments. |
Supervised treatment 'key' | |
After eight weeks, there was a 17% reduction in agitation symptoms in the group being given painkillers - a greater improvement than would have been expected from treatment with antipsychotics. | After eight weeks, there was a 17% reduction in agitation symptoms in the group being given painkillers - a greater improvement than would have been expected from treatment with antipsychotics. |
The researchers concluded that if patient's pain was properly managed, doctors could reduce the number of prescriptions for antipsychotic drugs. | The researchers concluded that if patient's pain was properly managed, doctors could reduce the number of prescriptions for antipsychotic drugs. |
Professor Clive Ballard, one of the report authors and director of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said the finding was significant. | Professor Clive Ballard, one of the report authors and director of research at the Alzheimer's Society, said the finding was significant. |
"At the moment, pain is very under-treated in people with dementia, because it's very hard to recognise," he said. | "At the moment, pain is very under-treated in people with dementia, because it's very hard to recognise," he said. |
"I think this could make a substantial difference to people's lives - it could help them live much better with dementia." | "I think this could make a substantial difference to people's lives - it could help them live much better with dementia." |
However, he said painkillers should only be given to patients under the supervision of a doctor. | However, he said painkillers should only be given to patients under the supervision of a doctor. |
The Alzheimer's Society is issuing new guidance calling on doctors to think much harder before prescribing antipsychotics, and to look at prescribing pain medication instead. | The Alzheimer's Society is issuing new guidance calling on doctors to think much harder before prescribing antipsychotics, and to look at prescribing pain medication instead. |
The National Care Association said the study highlighted some of the complexities of dementia. | The National Care Association said the study highlighted some of the complexities of dementia. |
"Pain in itself is debilitating, so to identify it as the route cause of agitation and aggressive behaviour is a major breakthrough which will enable us to support people appropriately," said its chairman, Nadra Ahmed. | "Pain in itself is debilitating, so to identify it as the route cause of agitation and aggressive behaviour is a major breakthrough which will enable us to support people appropriately," said its chairman, Nadra Ahmed. |
A government programme to reduce the inappropriate prescription of antipsychotic drugs is already under way in England. | A government programme to reduce the inappropriate prescription of antipsychotic drugs is already under way in England. |
The care services minister Paul Burstow welcomed the study. | The care services minister Paul Burstow welcomed the study. |
"It should act as a further call for GPs to carefully examine the reason why those with dementia display agitated behaviour, rather than immediately resorting to antipsychotic medication," he said. | "It should act as a further call for GPs to carefully examine the reason why those with dementia display agitated behaviour, rather than immediately resorting to antipsychotic medication," he said. |