[Impact of Covid-19 pandemic lockdown on the psychobehavioral symptoms of nursing home residents with neurocognitive disorders: a multicenter retrospective study].

The Covid-19 pandemic imposed strict lockdown measures, -significantly reducing social interactions among residents in nursing homes (NH). The lack of social support has been independently associated with the progression of cognitive symptoms and the worsening of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) in residents with major neurocognitive disorders (MND). However, few studies have examined the evolution of these symptoms in relation to movement restrictions and isolation, independent of Covid-19 infection. This study aims to assess the impact of lockdown measures on the severity of BPSD in NH residents with MND. A retrospective, descriptive, and analytical multicentric study was conducted in 15 NH in the Indre-et-Loire region, France. A total of 251 residents diagnosed with MND by their primary care physician or a specialist were included. The severity of BPSD was assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), and scores were compared before and after the lockdown in March 2020. Of the 251 residents included, a total of 240 NPI measurements were performed before the lockdown, involving 222 residents, and 95 NPI measurements were conducted after the lockdown, involving 84 residents. The average NPI score after the lockdown (39.3) was higher than the average score before the lockdown (37.7), although this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.3). The observed increase in NPI scores following the lockdown suggests a trend towards worsening BPSD related to the lockdown, although this trend did not reach statistical significance. Further studies with a more robust methodology and larger sample size are needed to confirm these findings and to better understand the impact of isolation measures on this vulnerable population.
Chronic respiratory disease
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Pillosu Pillosu, Nkodo Nkodo, Debacq Debacq, Gana Gana, Aïdoud Aïdoud, Poupin Poupin, Fougère Fougère
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