Determinants of costs of care for patients with Alzheimer's disease.

摘要: Background Alzheimer's disease (AD), the most common cause of dementia, is a major disability and care burden in elderly. This study aims to estimate costs formal informal identity determinants costs. Materials methods Two hundred seventy-two (AD) patients their caregivers were recruited among attending regular visits at six memory clinic Sweden, Denmark, Norway Finland. Patients with diagnosis AD an identifiable primary caregiver eligible for inclusion. Data was collected by questionnaires baseline, scheduled follow-up after 6 months again 12 months. Cognitive function assessed Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) behavioural disturbances measured using brief version neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI). Results Total annual on average 172 000 SEK, ranging from 60 700 SEK mild dementia 375 000 severe dementia. Costs community (special accommodation, home help, etc.) constituted about half total increase sharply increasing cognitive impairment. Informal costs, valued opportunity cost caregiver's time, make up third also increased significantly severity. Medical (inpatient care, outpatient pharmaceuticals), other hand, not related Regression analysis confirmed strong association between function, as well within over time. There significant influence disturbances. Sensitivity showed that method chosen value can have considerable impact results. Conclusions Costs patient are high severity presence The estimates presented implications future economic evaluation treatments Alzheimer's disease. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.