In dementia-related behavioral symptoms treated with antipsychotics, which statement is true?

In dementia-related behavioral symptoms treated with antipsychotics, which statement is true?

• A. Both typical and atypical antipsychotics increase mortality
• B. Only atypical antipsychotics increase mortality
• C. Only typical antipsychotics increase mortality
• D. No antipsychotics increase mortality

Answer: (A)

In dementia-related behavioral symptoms, there is a known increased risk of death when antipsychotics are used in elderly patients with dementia, and this risk applies to both typical (first-generation) and atypical (second-generation) antipsychotics. Regulatory warnings and multiple studies show higher all-cause mortality in this population compared with placebo, often due to cardiovascular events and infections such as pneumonia. The mechanism isn’t fully understood, but the risk appears to be a class effect rather than limited to one type of antipsychotic. Therefore, the truthful statement is that both typical and atypical antipsychotics increase mortality.

In dementia-related behavioral symptoms, there is a known increased risk of death when antipsychotics are used in elderly patients with dementia, and this risk applies to both typical (first-generation) and atypical (second-generation) antipsychotics. Regulatory warnings and multiple studies show higher all-cause mortality in this population compared with placebo, often due to cardiovascular events and infections such as pneumonia. The mechanism isn’t fully understood, but the risk appears to be a class effect rather than limited to one type of antipsychotic. Therefore, the truthful statement is that both typical and atypical antipsychotics increase mortality.