title: Caregivers' estimation of patients' quality of life (QoL) in Alzheimer's disease (AD): an approach using the ADRQL.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to describe the QoL of patients with AD (PAD) as perceived by family caregivers, and to analyze the correlates of such QoL. This study covered 92 PAD enrolled in a cognitive-motor stimulation study. The severity of cognitive impairment ranged from mild cognitive impairment to severe dementia. QoL was measured using the AD-related quality of life (ADRQL) scale. Social and clinical variables (for both PAD and caregiver) as well as other variables relating to cognition, activities of daily living (ADL), behavior, mood and caregiver burden were recorded. Spearman correlation coefficients and multivariate linear regression analysis were used to analyze the correlates of ADRQL (global score and subscores). Behavior and basic ADL were the best predictors of global QoL (coefficient of determination R(2)=0.57, p<0.0005). Cognition contributed marginally to global QoL (R(2)=0.03, p<0.05). The following variables were specifically associated with ADRQL subscores: household income (lower response to surroundings, R(2)=0.11), instrumental ADL (less awareness of self, R(2)=0.09), mood (better feelings and mood, R(2)=0.04), caregiver caring for another dependent person (higher social interaction, R(2)=0.04), and caregiver burden (worse feelings and mood, R(2)=0.03). In conclusion, the main determinants of QoL in PAD are functional capacities and behavior. Other medical, psychological and social variables could also be contributing to specific aspects of QoL on an individual basis.
authors.affiliation: Alzheimer Disease Research Unit, CIEN Foundation, Carlos III Institute of Health, Alzheimer Center Reina Sofia Foundation, Valderrebollo, 5, 28031 Madrid, Spain. bleon@fundacioncien.es
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: León-Salas
authors.forename: Javier
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Olazarán
authors.forename: Ruben
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muñiz
authors.forename: Ma Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: González-Salvador
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Martínez-Martín
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires