Accuracy of collateral source reports in very mild to mild dementia of the Alzheimer type.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the reporting accuracy of collateral sources (knowledgeable informants) regarding very mild and mild dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT) and to identify characteristics associated with collateral source accuracy.


METHODS
Secondary data analysis of initial visits of individuals enrolled in a longitudinal study of healthy aging and Alzheimer disease.


METHODS
Urban Alzheimer disease research center.


METHODS
Pairs of 515 individuals with very mild (n = 203) or mild (n = 312) DAT and their collateral sources.


METHODS
Collateral sources were asked separately during a semistructured interview by experienced clinicians to report current ability of the individual with DAT in memory, orientation, and judgment and problem solving. The clinical performance of the individuals with DAT in these domains was compared with these predictions.


RESULTS
Collateral sources were consistently and significantly accurate in reporting the cognitive capabilities of individuals with very mild and mild DAT. Although all types of collateral sources performed significantly better than chance, individual variables that correlated with collateral source accuracy included spousal relationship; living with the individual with DAT; frequent exposure to the individual; and age, education level, sex and dementia severity of the individual with DAT.


CONCLUSIONS
Collateral sources are accurate in reporting the cognitive capabilities of individuals with DAT, even in the very mild stage of dementia.
Cacchione
Pamela Z
PZ
University of Iowa, Gerontological Nursing Intervention Center, College of Nursing, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.
Powlishta
Kimberly K
KK
Grant
Elizabeth A
EA
Buckles
Virginia D
VD
Morris
John C
JC
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003071:Cognition; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012720:Severity of Illness Index