Physical status and complications in patients with Alzheimer disease: implications for outcome studies.
Physical illnesses commonly coexist with dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT). Their presence complicates DAT research because it represents a confounding variable. Furthermore, some illnesses or their symptoms also may be used as outcome measures. The conditions that frequently occur in subjects with DAT include neurological complications, intercurrent infections, and malnutrition. This review summarizes data regarding the connections among these conditions and DAT.
Volicer
L
L
Geriatric Research Education Clinical Center, E. N. Rogers Memorial Veterans Hospital, Bedford, Massachusetts, USA.
Hurley
A C
AC
D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D007239:Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care