Longitudinal Associations between Survival in Alzheimer's Disease and Cholinesterase Inhibitor Use, Progression, and Community-Based Services.

• Background/Aims: Factors including rate of disease progression, different aspects of cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI) treatment, and use of community-based services might affect the longitudinal outcome of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Whether these factors alter life expectancy in AD is unclear. We therefore examined the association between long-term ChEI therapy and survival. Methods: The present study included 1,021 patients with a clinical diagnosis of AD and a Mini-Mental State Examination score of 10–26 at baseline from a 3-year, prospective, multicenter study of ChEI therapy in clinical practice. The relationship of potential predictors with mortality was analyzed using Cox regression models. Results: After up to 16 years of follow-up, 841 (82%) of the participants had died. In the Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale, a mean decline of >= 4 points/year or >= 2 points/year on the Physical Self-Maintenance Scale was a risk factor for an earlier death. In the multivariate models, longer survival was associated with higher ChEI dose and longer duration of treatment. Users of community-based services at baseline exhibited a 1 year shorter mean life expectancy than nonusers. Conclusion: A longer survival time can be anticipated for AD patients with slower deterioration, who receive and tolerate higher ChEI doses and a longer duration of treatment.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Neurologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Neurology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Cognition

Activities of daily living

Home help services

Adult day care

Mortality

Statistical models

Publication and Content Type

art (subject category)

ref (subject category)