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Objective: To determine the incidence of sleep disorder at a follow-up examination from 1 to 4 years, in demented patients diagnosed at first visit, besides analyzing associated demographic and comorbidities characteristics. Methods: A total of 122 elderly patients aged 60 years or older and diagnosed with dementia (Alzheimer and other) were followed in a reference geriatric center for dementia. The clinical protocols included interviews with patient and caregiver, complete physical examination, laboratory and imaging tests. Criteria for the diagnosis of sleep disorder included complain of insomnia from the patient or caregiver using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory nighttime. Results: The incidence density of sleep disorder among dements was 18.7/100 person/years. The risk of developing sleep disorder within the first and fourth years of follow-up was 9.8% and 50.9%, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that educational level less than 8 years and report of aggressiveness at baseline were an independent predictor of sleep disorder, increased risk in 3.1 (95%CI: 1.30-9.22) and 2.1 times (95%CI: 1.16-4.17), respectively. Conclusion: The incidence of sleep disorder in demented patients was elevated, and was particularly associated to low educational level and aggressiveness at admission.

Objetivo: Determinar a incidência de distúrbios do sono em seguimento de 1 a 4 anos em pacientes com demência diagnosticada na primeira consulta, além de analisar características demográficas e comorbidades associadas. Métodos: Cento e vinte e dois idosos com 60 anos ou mais e com o diagnóstico de demência (Alzheimer e outras) foram seguidos em um centro de referência geriátrico para demência. O protocolo clínico incluiu entrevista com o paciente e o cuidador, exame físico, laboratorial e de imagem. Os critérios para diagnóstico dos distúrbios do sono incluíram queixa de insônia pelo paciente ou cuidador utilizando o item sobre comportamentos noturnos do Inventário Neuropsiquiátrico. Resultados: A densidade de incidência de distúrbios do sono foi de 18,7/100 pessoas/ano. O risco de desenvolver distúrbios do sono no primeiro e quarto anos de seguimento foi de 9,8% e 50,9%, respectivamente. Análise multivariada de Cox revelou que o nível educacional menor que 8 anos e a presença de agressividade na primeira consulta foram fatores preditores independentes para desenvolver distúrbios do sono no seguimento, aumentando o risco em 3,1 (IC95%: 1,30-9,22) e 2,1 (IC95%: 1,16-4,17) vezes, respectivamente. Conclusão: A incidência de distúrbios do sono em pacientes dementes foi elevada e, neste estudo, particularmente associada ao baixo nível educacional e à agressividade na admissão.

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Sleep disorders (SD) in patients with dementia are very common in clinical practice. The use of antidepressants with hypnotic actions, such as trazodone, plays an important role in these cases. The aim of this study is to present a profile of the use of trazodone in demented patients with SD, as well as a review of trazodone hydrochloride in SD. We evaluated 178 elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, clinically presenting SD and treated with hypnosedative medications. In the one-year period comprising the study, 68 (38.2%) of the 178 had sleep disorders. Most patients (114; 64%) had a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Approximately 85% of patients with SD used hypnosedative drugs. Trazodone was the most commonly used drug among patients (N = 35), with an effectiveness of 65.7%. Trazodone has been shown to be a good option for treatment of the elderly with dementia and associated SD.

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Sleep disorders (SD) in patients with dementia are very common in clinical practice. The use of antidepressants with hypnotic actions, such as trazodone, plays an important role in these cases. The aim of this study is to present a profile of the use of trazodone in demented patients with SD, as well as a review of trazodone hydrochloride in SD. We evaluated 178 elderly patients with Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, clinically presenting SD and treated with hypnosedative medications. In the one-year period comprising the study, 68 (38.2 percent) of the 178 had sleep disorders. Most patients (114; 64 percent) had a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Approximately 85 percent of patients with SD used hypnosedative drugs. Trazodone was the most commonly used drug among patients (N = 35), with an effectiveness of 65.7 percent. Trazodone has been shown to be a good option for treatment of the elderly with dementia and associated SD.

Distúrbios do sono (DS) em pacientes com demência são muito comuns na prática clínica. O uso de antidepressivos com ação hipnótica, como a trazodona, tem um papel importante nesses casos. O objetivo desse estudo é apresentar um perfil do uso da trazodona em pacientes com demência e com DS, bem como revisar o cloridrato de trazodona no DS. Nós avaliamos 178 idosos com doença de Alzheimer (DA) e outras demências, clinicamente apresentando DS e que foram tratados com medicações hipnossedativas. No período de um ano de estudo, 68 (38,2 por cento) tiveram DS. A maioria (114; 64 por cento) tinham diagnóstico de DA. Aproximadamente 85 por cento usaram fármacos hipnossedativos. A trazodona foi a mais utilizada (N=35), com evidência de melhora de 65,7 por cento. A trazodona mostrou-se ser uma boa opção no tratamento de idosos com demência e DS associado.

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OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of sleep disorder at a follow-up examination from 1 to 4 years, in demented patients diagnosed at first visit, besides analyzing associated demographic and comorbidities characteristics. METHODS: A total of 122 elderly patients aged 60 years or older and diagnosed with dementia (Alzheimer and other) were followed in a reference geriatric center for dementia. The clinical protocols included interviews with patient and caregiver, complete physical examination, laboratory and imaging tests. Criteria for the diagnosis of sleep disorder included complain of insomnia from the patient or caregiver using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory nighttime. RESULTS: The incidence density of sleep disorder among dements was 18.7/100 person/years. The risk of developing sleep disorder within the frst and fourth years of follow-up was 9.8% and 50.9%, respectively. Multivariate Coxregression analysis revealed that educational level less than 8 years and report of aggressiveness at baseline were an independent predictor of sleep disorder, increased risk in 3.1 (95%CI: 1.30-9.22) and 2.1 times (95%CI: 1.16-4.17), respectively. CONCLUSION: The incidence of sleep disorder in demented patients was elevated, and was particularly associated to low educational level and aggressiveness at admission.

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Objetivos. A realização do presente estudo visa a avaliar o padrão de prescrição e o uso de medicamentos em idosos e, dessa forma, subsidiar intervenções para otimizar a atenção a esse grupo de indivíduos. Método. Estudo transversal, realizado em instituição de longa permanência do Distrito Federal, no período de 1.o de janeiro de 2007 a 31 de dezembro de 2007. Foram realizadas revisão de prontuário e prescrições dos participantes do estudo. Resultados. Foram avaliados os registros de 77 idosos residentes na instituição, em que 67,5% foram do sexo feminino. A média do número de medicamentos entre os idosos foi semelhante entre homens e mulheres, 4,8 e 4,7 respectivamente. A prevalência do uso de quatro ou mais fármacos foi 74%, em que 40,2% usaram de quatro a cinco medicamentos e 33,7% usaram mais de cinco. Os medicamentos cardiovasculares estiveram presentes em metade das prescrições aos idosos. Em seguida, os fármacos de mais uso foram os antipsicóticos e os antidepressivos, com 45% e 41% respectivamente. As mulheres representaram 65% dos usuários de antipsicóticos e 62,5% de antidepressivos. Entre os usuários de antipsicóticos, a risperidona esteve presente em 31% das prescrições, seguida do haloperidol. Entre os usuários de antidepressivos, 37,5% fizeram uso do citalopram, seguido de mirtazapina, nortriptilina e sertralina, com prevalência de 12,5% cada um. Conclusão. O uso de múltiplos medicamentos é elevado em idosos institucionalizados. Essa informação é muito importante se for considerado o fato de que o uso de vários fármacos aumenta a possibilidade de interações medicamentosas, efeitos adversos, farmacodermias, iatrogenia, quedas, fraturas, comprometimento funcional e cognitivo na população, que já se encontra mais fragilizada.

Objectives. The goals of this study was to evaluate the prescription and the use of medications among elderly and to provide interventions to optimize health care towards this group of individuals. Method. This is a transversal study that took place in an institution that provides long lasting care support for patients in Brasilia, DF with a sample of 77 patients, from January 1st to December 31 in 2007. Data for this research was gathered from medical file and prescription by filing out a research form. Results. The authors analyzed 77 elders in which 67.5% were women. The use of four or more drugs had a prevalence of 74%, in which 40.2% used four to five medicines, and 33.7% used more. Cardiovascular medications were present in half of their prescriptions. The second and third most prescribed drugs were antipsychotics and antidepressants, 45% and 41% respectively. Women represent 65% of antipsychotic drug users and 62.5% of antidepressant drug users. Among the antipsychotics, risperidone was in 31% of the prescriptions followed by haloperidol. Among the antidepressants, 37.5% used citalopram followed by mirtazapine, nortriptyline and sertraline, with prevalence of with a 12.5% prevalence of each. Conclusion. The use of multiple drugs also affects institutionalized elderly. This information is very important once one considers the fact that the use of multiple medicines increases the risk of drug interactions, adverse drug reactions, drug-induced skin reactions, iatrogenic disorders, falls, bone fractures, and functional and cognitive decline in an already frail population.

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A 95-year-old woman had been treated over the past 8 years for progressive dysphagia. When her condition worsened, blood tests revealed the presence of leucocytosis and eosinophilia in the absence of anaemia or thrombocytopenia. Within 11 days of diagnosis, the patient died of respiratory failure. Necropsy showed normal thyroid tissue and an absence of infectious disease. However, an upper mediastinal tumour was found and was histopathologically diagnosed as a neoplastic transformation of the ectopic thyroid. Only 1% of endothoracic goitres present as ectopic or autonomous goitre with no parenchymal or vascular connection to the thyroid gland. This case represents a very rare situation in which a leukemoid reaction and peripheral hypereosinophilia were observed as a manifestation of an anaplastic thyroid carcinoma in an ectopic mass.

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