Long-term rivastigmine treatment in a routine clinical setting.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to observe the effects of long-term rivastigmine treatment in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a routine clinical setting.


METHODS
This was a prospective, open-label, observational, multicentre, non-randomized study. Outcome measures included the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Clinician's Interview-Based Impression of Change (CIBIC) and the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog).


RESULTS
Of 217 patients initiated into rivastigmine treatment, 62% (n = 135) remained on treatment for 24 months. Most patients droped out due to nursing home placement or side effects. Eighty per cent and 67% of completers exhibited a symptomatic attenuation of cognitive decline (< or = 4-point deterioration) as assessed by using the MMSE and ADAS-cog respectively. Forty-four per cent showed an unchanged/improved CIBIC rating.


CONCLUSIONS
Over 60% of patients remained on treatment for 2 years in this routine clinical setting. In patients who remained on treatment, rivastigmine appeared to stabilize their condition and prevented or delayed symptomatic decline.
Minthon
L
L
Neuropsychiatric Clinic, Clinical Memory Research Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, Malmö, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden. lennart.minthon@skane.se
Wallin
A K
AK
Eriksson
S
S
Wattmo
C
C
Andreasen
N
N