The effects of the glycaemic control on the severity of the delirium in the advanced phase of Alzheimer’s disease [version 1; peer review: 2 approved]

• Main Authors: Antonio Martocchia, Marta Scarienzi, Pietro Prunas, Enrico Bentivegna, Mauro Cacciafesta, Paolo Martelletti, Giorgio Sesti
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: F1000 Research Ltd 2020-12-01
• Series: F1000Research
• Online Access: https://f1000research.com/articles/9-1470/v1
• ISSN: 2046-1402

Background: Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) and delirium are common in advanced phases of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Methods: Thirty-eight moderate-severe AD patients were enrolled (n=16 affected by type 2 diabetes). Each patient received a comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) (including evaluation of BPSD and frailty), and a complete metabolic evaluation (including the measurement of the glycated haemoglobin, HbA1c). Results: Both the hyper- and hypo-glycaemic extremes of the glycaemic spectrum worsened BPSD, but delirium was more susceptible to hypoglycaemic events. The severity of delirium was significantly related to cognitive function (r = -0.585, p<0.001) and frailty (r = +0.440, p<0.05). Conclusions: The measurement of HbA1c was useful for evaluating the risk of delirium in relationship to glycaemic control and nutritional status.