Baquero M, Peset V, Burguera JA, Salazar-Cifre A, Bosca-Blasco ME, Del Olmo-Rodriguez A, Valero-Merino C, Munoz-Lacalle RA, En Nombre Del Nodo Enae et

Author of the Paper: Baquero M, Peset V, Burguera JA, Salazar-Cifre A, Bosca-Blasco ME, Del Olmo-Rodriguez A, Valero-Merino C, Munoz-Lacalle RA, En Nombre Del Nodo Enae Valencia EN.

Title of the Paper: Quality of life in Alzheimer's disease.

Journals: Rev Neurol. 2009 Oct 1-15;49(7):337-42.

Address of correspondence

Servicio de Neurología, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, España. baquero_miq@gva.es

Abstract :

Quality of life is a concept that is receiving increasing amounts of attention; its assessment complements the traditional clinical evaluation, which is of special interest in areas related with healthcare organisation. Here, we present a study on quality of life in Alzheimer's disease and its relationship with cognitive and functional measures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Quality of life was evaluated by means of the EQ-5D scale in a sample of cases of Alzheimer's disease (diagnosed according to criteria established by the National Institute of Neurologic, Communicative Disorders and Stroke-Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association) that donated blood samples for the National DNA Bank. The status of the global deterioration scale was determined and a verbal fluency test and the Folstein minimental test were also carried out. A classic analysis, variable contrast by means of chi-square for proportions and Student's t test for measurements were conducted, as well as estimation of r for the regression models in the quantitative variables. The social rate was determined using the software application SPSS v. 11. RESULTS: Altogether 141 cases were analysed, with a male to female ratio of 2:1, and a mean age of 76.2 years. Aspects such as personal hygiene, activity and, to a lesser extent, motility are affected in Alzheimer's disease, but pain and anxiety aspects do not seem to be affected. There is a relationship between quality of life, functional scales and cognitive scales. Functional aspects correlate with quality of life better than cognitive ones. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life is evaluated in Alzheimer's disease using general scales, such as EQ-5D. Cognitive aspects do not appear to provide relevant information about quality of life that is not already provided by the functional aspects.

Address of correspondence

Abstract of the Paper

Source: PubMed Abstract