Neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in patients with very mild and mild Alzheimer's disease.

摘要: Background: Neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) are common manifestations of Alzheimer’ s disease (AD). Objective: To examine the prevalence and significance NPS in very mild AD patients with emphasis on their influence well-being caregivers. Methods: The participants were 240 patient-caregiver dyads who participated a prospective, controlled rehabilitation study (ALSOVA). Three Quality Life (QoL) instruments used; generic 15D, disease-specific QoL-AD Visual Analog Scale (VAS). was both selfrated caregiver rated. Other scales used Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR), ADCS-ADL, Inventory (NPI) Beck Depression (BDI). Results: present 76.5% (CDR 0.5) 84.9% to moderate 1). most frequent apathy, depression, irritability, agitation. strongest predictor self-reported scores depressive whereas functional decline presence predicted poor ratings patients’ QoL. However, depression also influenced significantly ratings. Conclusion: even early stages AD. associated assessment patient’s QoL but not self-assessed decreases QoL, may remain unrecognized patients, emphasizing need for careful structured before deciding appropriate treatment. Copyright # 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.