title: Impact of rivastigmine patch and capsules on activities of daily living in Alzheimer's disease.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rivastigmine patches provide similar efficacy to rivastigmine capsules with a lower incidence of gastrointestinal side effects in patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Post hoc analysis of a 24-week, prospective, international, randomized, double-blind, placebo- and active-controlled trial. Patients (n = 892) with probable AD received rivastigmine transdermal patches (9.5 mg/24 hours [10 cm(2)]), rivastigmine capsules (6 mg twice daily), or placebo, and impact on activities of daily living (ADLs) was assessed utilizing 3 subscales: basic, high-level function, and autonomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At week 24, both rivastigmine groups demonstrated significantly superior performance in Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL) Total Score versus placebo (rivastigmine patch, P = .013; capsules, P = .039). Overall, both rivastigmine formulations provided benefits in ADL subscales. For basic ADLs, rivastigmine capsules performed significantly better than placebo (P = .012). For high-level function ADLs, rivastigmine patch performed better than placebo (P = .056). For autonomy ADLs, rivastigmine patch performed significantly better than placebo (P = .017).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rivastigmine patches and capsules provide significant effects in both total and subscale ADLs in patients with probable AD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology & Psychiatry, St Louis University School of Medicine, MO, USA. Grossbgt@aol.com
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Grossberg
authors.forename: Xiangyi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Meng
authors.forename: Jason T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Olin
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D002214:Capsules; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D048448:Phenylcarbamates / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D000068836:Rivastigmine; D013997:Time Factors; D057968:Transdermal Patch; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002214:Capsules; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D048448:Phenylcarbamates; D000068836:Rivastigmine