title: Evolution of quality of life in patients with Korsakoff's syndrome in a long-term care facility.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Korsakoff's syndrome (KS) is a neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by severe amnesia. Quality of life (QoL) is becoming an increasingly used outcome measure in clinical practice but little is known about QoL in KS and how it may change over time. The purpose of this study was therefore to assess the QoL in patients with KS at baseline and with a 20-month follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  The current study is a longitudinal study on the QoL in patients with KS living in two long-term care facilities for KS patients in the Netherlands. QoL was scored with the proxy-based QUALIDEM scale with a 20-month follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 72 KS patients included at baseline, 57 KS patients had a follow-up QoL score (79.2%). On the subscales "Feeling at home," "Positive affect," and "Care relationship" of the QUALIDEM, there was a better QoL in the follow-up, although effects were relatively small. Other subscales indicated a stable QoL over time. There were inter-relations between changes in subscales.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The main finding of this study is that patients with KS on average do show a relatively stable moderate to good QoL despite the severity of the syndrome. On specific subscales, there is a small increase in QoL over time. Results do suggest that prolonged stay in a long-term care facility for KS patients does have a neutral to a positive effect on QoL in KS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Experimental Psychology,Helmholtz Research Institute,Utrecht University,Utrecht,the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Erik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Oudman
authors.affiliation: Slingedael Korsakoff Center,Slinge 901,Rotterdam,the Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Wijnia
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D020915:Korsakoff Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D008134:Long-Term Care / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009426:Netherlands; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012112:Residential Facilities / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration