title: Predictive Factors of Rapid Cognitive Decline in Patients with Alzheimer Disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine predictive factors associated with rapid cognitive decline (RCD) in elderly patients suffering from Alzheimer disease (AD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients suffering from mild to moderate AD were included. RCD was defined as the loss of at least 3 points on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) over 12 months. Factors associated with RCD were identified by logistic regression.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among 123 patients included, 61 were followed up until 12 months. RCD occurred in 46% of patients (n= 28). Polymedication (p< 0.0001), the fact that the caregiver was the child or spouse of the patient (p< 0.0001) and autonomy for washing (p< 0.0001) were protective factors against RCD, while the presence of caregiver burden (p< 0.0001) was shown to be a risk factor for RCD.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Early detection of the RCD risk in AD patients could make it possible to anticipate the patient's medical needs and adjust the care plan for caregiver burden.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, EA 3797, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France; Department of Research and Public Health, Reims University Hospital, Reims, France.
authors.forename: Coralie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barbe
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Reims University Hospital, Reims, France.
authors.forename: Isabella
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Morrone
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, EA 3797, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France; Department of Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Reims University Hospital, Reims, France.
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Novella
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, EA 3797, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France; Department of Research and Public Health, Reims University Hospital, Reims, France.
authors.forename: Moustapha
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dramé
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, EA 3797, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France; Department of Research and Public Health, Reims University Hospital, Reims, France.
authors.forename: Aurore
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Wolak-Thierry
authors.affiliation: Clinique de la Porte Verte, Versailles, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Pierre
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Aquino
authors.affiliation: Centre of Gerontology, Public Assistance, Hospitals of Paris, Paris Cedex, France.
authors.forename: Joël
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ankri
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, EA 3797, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France; Department of Research and Public Health, Reims University Hospital, Reims, France.
authors.forename: Damien
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jolly
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, EA 3797, University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, Reims, France; Department of Geriatrics and Internal Medicine, Reims University Hospital, Reims, France.
authors.forename: Rachid
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mahmoudi
keywords: Alzheimer disease; Health-related quality of life; Rapid cognitive decline; Risk factors