Antibiotic therapy for advanced dementia in late-life syndrome. A systematic review

Authors

Keywords:

Antibiotics, palliative care, dementia, side effects, pneumonia

Abstract

The use of antibiotics in patients with advanced dementia in palliative care is a complex and controversial issue due to the high risk of infections and the need to prioritize patient well-being at the end of life. This study aimed to analyze current considerations regarding antibiotic use in this population through a systematic review of scientific evidence from the past ten years, following the PRISMA methodology. Data were collected from specialized databases, including Medline/PubMed, Cochrane Library, SemanticScholar, and Dialnet, using MeSH/DeCS terms and Boolean operators. Out of 1,710 articles identified, 15 were selected for analysis, three focused on healthcare professionals and the remainder on patients with advanced dementia in palliative care settings, including long-term care institutions, hospitalized patients with pneumonia, and home-based palliative care. Findings revealed high antibiotic use, often without clear indications or evidence of benefit for survival or patient well-being, accompanied by adverse effects. The study concludes that antibiotic administration in this population requires more critical evaluation, proper healthcare professional training, and evidence-based decisions to balance potential benefits and risks, ensuring high-quality, patient-centered palliative care.

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Author Biography

Verónica Paulina Contento-Lala, Universidad Iberoamericana del Ecuador. Ecuador.

 

 

References

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Published

2025-10-01

How to Cite

Contento-Lala, V. P., & Quintana-Domínguez, T. E. (2025). Antibiotic therapy for advanced dementia in late-life syndrome. A systematic review. Revista UGC, 3(S3), 307–321. Retrieved from https://universidadugc.edu.mx/ojs/index.php/rugc/article/view/254

Issue

Vol. 3 No. S3 (2025): Retos, innovaciones y perspectivas multidisciplinarias en investigación y práctica universitaria (Octubre)

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Artículos

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Copyright (c) 2025 Verónica Paulina Contento-Lala, Tatiana Elizabeth Quintana-Domínguez

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