Treatment of behavioral symptoms and unsettled relationships in clinically complex residents in the long-term care facility

Abstract

Purpose: Multifactorial etiology of behavioral symptoms (BS) and unsettled relationships (UR) in long-term care facility (LTCF) residents, who are characterized by comorbidity of somatic and mental diseases, makes the treatment process particularly difficult. The main goal of this study was to analyze a line of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment of clinically complex LTCF residents presenting BS and UR. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 301 LTCF residents with the use of interRAI-LTCF questionnaire. Descriptive statistics provided frequencies of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions in residents presenting BS and UR. Logistic regression models identified potential factors associated with administering antipsychotics, sedatives and antidepressants. Results: We found that residents with BS had a higher chance of being prescribed antipsychotics (OR 3.06; CI 1.59–5.86; p < 0.001). They were at greater risk of using sedatives only when BS were associated with older age or depression symptoms. However, BS associated with depression did not increase chance of using antidepressants. The UR had no impact on the use of psychotropic drugs. Moreover, staff’s frustration in caring for residents with BS was associated with reduced risk of prescribing sedatives (OR 0.10; CI 0.02–0.68; p < 0.02). In contrast to pharmacotherapy, the non-pharmacological interventions were rarely applied. Conclusions: LTCF residents manifesting BS were more frequently treated with antipsychotics and sedatives compared to antidepressants, even when BS were associated with depression. The multifactorial etiology of BS and UR in a clinically complex LTCF resident requires recognition of the causes of BS and UR for an appropriate treatment to be applied.