The effects of galantamine treatment on caregiver time in Alzheimer's disease.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to determine whether the clinical benefits of galantamine for patients with Alzheimer's disease lead to benefits for caregivers.


METHODS
Data were pooled from two concurrent, multi-centre, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-month trials. Time caregivers spent assisting with activities of daily living (ADL) and time patients could be left unsupervised each day were assessed using the Allocation of Caregiver Time Survey. In total, 825 patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's disease were included.


RESULTS
At endpoint, caregivers of galantamine-treated patients were more likely to report reductions (41% vs 37%), maintenance (19% vs 14%) or smaller increases (26% vs 34% reporting an increase >30 minutes) in time assisting with ADL compared with the placebo group (p=0.026; Wilcoxon rank-sum test). The mean daily time difference was 32 minutes (p=0.011). Among patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease, caregivers of galantamine-treated patients were even more likely to report reductions (46% vs 37%), maintenance (15% vs 6%) or smaller increases (25% vs 42% for increases >30 min) vs placebo (p=0.004), with a mean daily time saving of 53 minutes (p=0.021). Caregivers of galantamine-treated patients were more likely to report increases (22% vs 18%), maintenance (45% vs 43%) or smaller reductions (30% vs 37% for reductions >30 minutes) in time the patient could be left unsupervised compared with placebo (p=0.027). Mean daily time saving was 27 minutes. Among patients with moderate Alzheimer's disease, the treatment effect was greater (p=0.029), with caregivers in the galantamine group reporting the change in time left unsupervised as 68 minutes longer each day than caregivers of patients receiving placebo.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinical benefits of galantamine for patients with Alzheimer's disease are also associated with benefits to caregiving.
Sano
Mary
M
Mount Sinai School of Medicine/Veterans Affairs Hospital, Bronx, NY 10468, USA. Mary.Sano@mssm.edu
Wilcock
Gordon K
GK
van Baelen
Bart
B
Kavanagh
Shane
S
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D017028:Caregivers; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005702:Galantamine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018697:Nootropic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors; D018697:Nootropic Agents; D005702:Galantamine