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Background: Persecutory delusions are common in dementia. This study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence, associated factors, and characteristics of persecutory delusions in demented patients., Method: The sample population included 167 demented patients (DSM-III-R criteria) admitted to a geropsychiatric ward. Patients were assessed for the occurrence of any persecutory delusions since the onset of dementia. The content of persecutory delusions, the patients' response to the delusions, and any concomitant psychiatric symptoms were also explored., Results: Of the 167 demented patients, 45 (26.9%) showed symptoms of persecutory delusions. Patients with persecutory delusions had a higher prevalence of other delusions, hallucinations, and physically aggressive behaviors. The deluded patients often thought that their caregivers were their persecutors and had a wide range of responses to their delusions. After they were hospitalized, many of these patients attacked medical staff and were uncooperative with treatment., Conclusion: Persecutory delusions are common in dementia of various types. Deluded patients often have vigorous responses to their delusions including physically aggressive behaviors and suicide attempts. Careful evaluation is needed to assess the potential for violent and suicidal behaviors in these patients. Medical staff should be alert to clinical strategies for handling the treatment of such patients when they become violent or uncooperative.

Background: Delusional jealousy is a major motive for violence and is sometimes found in demented patients. This study was undertaken to investigate the frequency and the characteristics of delusional jealousy in demented patients., Method: The sample population consisted of 133 demented patients admitted to the geropsychiatric ward. Patients with and without delusional jealousy were compared in terms of general characteristics and psychotic symptoms., Results: Of the 133 demented patients, 21 (15.8%) showed delusional jealousy. Delusional jealousy was found in various types of dementia. There were no significant differences between the two groups in regard to age, age at onset, gender, educational level, and Mini-Mental State Examination score. All patients with delusional jealousy had at least one other psychotic symptom., Conclusion: Delusional jealousy is a common problem in dementia. The psychobiological factors of delusional jealousy and cognitive function in demented patients may differ. There may be various underlying factors for the development of delusional jealousy in dementia.

Delusions of theft are commonly found in patients with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). This report describes the frequency, onset, and characteristics of delusions of theft in DAT patients. The sample consisted of 54 geropsychiatric inpatients with DAT; delusions of theft were found in 30 (55.6%) patients. Two thirds of these patients had delusions of theft within 1 year after onset of illness. There were no significant differences in age, age of onset, duration of disease, years of education, or the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score between patients with and without delusions of theft. Delusions of theft frequently occur in the early stage of dementia, when the patients' cognitive impairments are relatively mild. The presence of this symptom may warrant a diagnosis of DAT.