Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Anxiety in Dementia With Lewy Bodies.
Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Anxiety in Dementia With Lewy Bodies.
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Original abstract
BACKGROUND: Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is one of the most common neurodegenerative causes of Major Neurocognitive Disorder and associated with a high comorbidity of mood and behavioral disturbances. There is overlap between the defining characteristics of this disorder and the DSM-5-TR criteria for generalized anxiety disorder. SUMMARY: DLB causes progressive decline in cognition, motor independence, sleep quality, and mood. Anxiety is the most common mood disturbance in patients with DLB, and those with anxiety experience more frequent and severe cognitive fluctuations. The treatment of underlying anxiety can improve patient and caregiver quality of life, yet screening for anxiety among those with DLB presents unique challenges. This clinical review discusses the importance of screening for anxiety and proposed management of anxiety in patients with DLB. METHODOLOGY: A PubMed search using (dementia with Lewy bodies) and (anxiety) published between 2015 and 2025 initially yielded 161 results. The date range was expanded to 20 years to look for clinical trials (0 relevant results). Due to the limited number of papers focusing on DLB, the search was broadened to include (Lewy body dementia), (dementia), and specific anti-anxiety medications. Select older trials were included when newer studies were lacking on a particular topic. We have done our best to clarify when directly studied in DLB and when extrapolated. CONCLUSIONS: Proper screening and treatment of anxiety in patients with DLB can improve morbidity and quality of life for patients and caregivers. Treatment should be tailored to the individual patient.