Delusions increase functional impairment in Alzheimer's disease.
OBJECTIVE
Delusions in Alzheimer's disease (AD) may be associated with functional impairment. No studies to date have used functional instruments sensitive to changes in frontal executive function, possibly underestimating the impact.


METHODS
Patients with AD with and without delusions were administered cognitive tests and questionnaires to assess depression and quality of life. Caregivers were administered questionnaires to assess functional impairment, caregiver burden and behavioural symptoms.


RESULTS
AD patients with delusions (n = 19) when compared to AD patients without delusions (n = 19) matched for age, education and global cognitive function were significantly more functionally impaired based on performance on the Disability Assessment for Dementia Scale (p < 0.005).


CONCLUSIONS
AD patients with delusions have significantly worse functional performance.
Mental Health Service, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, Ont., Canada. FISCHERC@smh.ca
Corinne E
CE
Fischer
Zahinoor
Z
Ismail
Tom A
TA
Schweizer
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003702:Delusions / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011788:Quality of Life