Estrogen therapy and noncognitive psychiatric signs and symptoms in elderly patients with dementia.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

This study investigated the efficacy and safety of short-term estrogen therapy in decreasing noncognitive signs and symptoms of dementia in demented elderly patients.

METHOD:

Sixteen moderately to severely demented elderly patients with aggressive behavioral disturbances were randomly assigned to receive conjugated equine estrogens or placebo in a 4-week clinical trial. Frequency and severity of noncognitive signs and symptoms of dementia, as assessed with the Dementia Signs and Symptoms Scale, were compared between estrogen and placebo groups. Data were analyzed with intent-to-treat and regression modeling methods.

RESULTS:

Estrogen therapy was associated with a significantly greater improvement on the Dementia Signs and Symptoms Scale total score than placebo. All five Dementia Signs and Symptoms Scale subscale comparisons favored estrogen therapy. No adverse effects were observed.

CONCLUSIONS:

These preliminary data suggest that short-term estrogen therapy may safely decrease the frequency and severity of noncognitive signs and symptoms of dementia in elderly patients.

• Authors: Helen H Kyomen, John Hennen, Gary L Gottlieb, Jeanne Y Wei
• Journal: The American journal of psychiatry (Am J Psychiatry) Vol. 159 Issue 7 Pg. 1225-7 (Jul 2002) ISSN: 0002-953X [Print] United States
• PMID: 12091203 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Estrogens, Conjugated (USP)
• Placebos

Topics

• Age Factors
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Aggression (psychology)
• Comorbidity
• Dementia (diagnosis, drug therapy, epidemiology, psychology)
• Double-Blind Method
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Estrogens, Conjugated (USP) (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Placebos
• Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
• Severity of Illness Index
• Treatment Outcome