Awareness of Diagnosis in Persons with Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease : An Observational Study in Spain
Villarejo-Galende, Alberto (Hospital 12 de Octubre (Madrid))
García-Arcelay, Elena (Roche Farma)
Piñol-Ripoll, Gerard (Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Lleida (IRBLLeida))
del Olmo-Rodríguez, Antonio (Hospital Universitari Doctor Peset (València))
Viñuela, Félix (Hospital Universitario Virgen Macarena (Sevilla, Andalusia))
Boada, Mercè (Universitat Internacional de Catalunya)
Franco-Macías, Emilio (Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla)
de la Peña, Almudena Ibañez (Centro de Investigación de Parkinson)
Riverol, Mario (Clínica Universidad de Navarra)
Puig-Pijoan, Albert (Institut Hospital del Mar d'Investigacions Mèdiques)
Abizanda-Soler, Pedro (Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete)
Arroyo, Rafael (Hospital Universitario Quirónsalud)
Baquero-Toledo, Miquel (Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe (València))
Feria-Vilar, Inmaculada (Complejo Hospitalario Universitario de Albacete)
Balasa, Mircea (Hospital Clínic i Provincial de Barcelona)
Berbel, Ángel (Hospital Central de la Cruz Roja)
Rodríguez-Rodríguez, Eloy (Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla (Santander, Cantabria))
Vieira-Campos, Alba (Hospital Universitario de la Princesa (Madrid))
García-Ribas, Guillermo (Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (Madrid))
Rodrigo-Herrero, Silvia (Hospital Universitario Juan Ramón Jiménez)
Lleó, Alberto (Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau)
Maurino, Jorge (Roche Farma)
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Date:	2022
Abstract:	Limited information is available on people's experiences of living with Alzheimer's disease (AD) at earlier stages. This study assessed awareness of diagnosis among people with early-stage AD and its impact on different person-centered outcome measures. We conducted an observational, cross-sectional study in 21 memory clinics in Spain. Persons aged 50-90 years, diagnosed with prodromal or mild AD (NIA/AA criteria), a Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ≥ 22, and a Clinical Dementia Rating-Global score (CDR-GS) of 0. 5 or 1. 0 were recruited. The Representations and Adjustment to Dementia Index (RADIX) was used to assess participants' beliefs about their condition and its consequences. A total of 149 persons with early-stage AD were studied. Mean (SD) age was 72. 3 (7. 0) years and 50. 3% were female. Mean duration of AD was 1. 4 (1. 8) years. Mean MMSE score was 24. 6 (2. 1) and 87. 2% had a CDR-GS score of 0. 5. Most participants (n = 84, 57. 5%) used a descriptive term related to specific AD symptoms (e. g. , memory difficulties) when asked what they called their condition. Participants aware of their diagnosis using the term AD (n = 66, 45. 2%) were younger, had more depressive symptoms, and poorer life satisfaction and quality of life compared to those without awareness of their specific diagnosis. Practical and emotional consequences RADIX scores showed a significant negative correlation with Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease score (rho = − 0. 389 and − 0. 413, respectively; p < 0. 0001). Years of education was the only predictor of awareness of AD diagnosis [OR = 1. 04 (95% CI 1. 00-1. 08); p = 0. 029]. Awareness of diagnosis was a common phenomenon in persons with early-stage AD negatively impacting their quality of life. Understanding illness representations in earlier stages may facilitate implementing optimized care that supports improved quality of life and well-being.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra i la creació d'obres derivades, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials, i sempre que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió publicada
Subject:	Alzheimer's disease ; Awareness ; Diagnosis ; Illness representation ; Quality of life ; Well-being
Published in:	Neurology and Therapy, Vol. 11 (june 2022) , p. 1183-1192, ISSN 2193-6536

DOI: 10.1007/s40120-022-00367-3
PMID: 35648383

10 p, 277.6 KB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Health sciences and biosciences > Institut de Recerca Sant Pau
Articles > Research articles
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