Are Premorbid Abnormal Personality Traits Associated with Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms in Dementia?

Objective: The study aims to investigate associations between behavioural and psychological symptoms
of dementia (BPSD) and abnormal premorbid personality traits.
Methods: Data were obtained from 217 patients with a diagnosis of probable Alzheimer’s disease. Behavioural
and psychological symptoms of late-onset dementia were assessed with the Neuropsychiatric
Inventory. Premorbid personality traits were assessed using the Standardised Assessment of Personality.
Abnormal premorbid personality traits were categorised with Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of
Mental Disorders fourth edition and International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related
Health Problems—10 diagnostic criteria for personality disorders.
Results: Abnormal premorbid personality traits were associated with increased behavioural and psychological
symptoms in dementia. Cluster A (solitary/paranoid) premorbid personality traits were associated
with anxiety, depression and hallucinations. Cluster C (anxious/dependent) traits were associated with a
syndrome of depression.
Conclusions: The presence of Clusters A (solitary/paranoid) and C (anxious/dependent) abnormal
premorbid personality traits seems to affect the expression of certain behavioural and psychological
symptoms in dementia, depression in particular. Copyright # 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd