Comparison of risperidone with olanzapine in elderly patients with dementia and psychosis.

Study Objectives. To compare the effects of risperidone and olanzapine on cognition in elderly patients with dementia and psychosis, and to compare the side effects of these drugs.Design. Single-blind, multicenter, observational study. Setting. Four rural nursing care facilities. Patients. Nineteen elderly patients with dementia and psychosis. Intervention. Eleven patients were treated with risperidone, eight with olanzapine. Measurements and Main Results. Rating assessments were completed at baseline, 1 month, and 2 months. Simple paired and unpaired t tests determined between- and within-group differences. Social functioning, including activities of daily living, improved over baseline in both groups (p=0.03). Cognition declined significantly (p<0.05) in the risperidone group; comparatively more side effects occurred and blood pressure decreased (p<0.05) in the olanzapine group. When compared with each group cross-sectionally at baseline and end point, however, the two groups did not differ significantly. Conclusion. Improvements in social functioning in all 19 patients suggest that both risperidone and olanzapine may help improve functioning in elderly patients with dementia and psychosis. Cognitive and side effect profiles of these drugs may differ substantially. Further study is needed to determine patient subpopulations who may be able to tolerate one drug over another.