Short-term response to cholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer’s disease delays time to nursing home placement

Carina Wattmo, Elisabet Londos, Lennart Minthon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Background: A varying response to cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI) treatment has been reported among patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Whether the individual-specific response directly affects time to nursing home placement (NHP) was not investigated. Objective: We examined the relationship between the 6-month response to ChEI and institutionalization. Methods: In a prospective, observational, multicenter study, 881 outpatients with a clinical AD diagnosis and a Mini-Mental State Examination score of 10-26 at the start of ChEI therapy (baseline) were included. The participants were evaluated using cognitive, global, and activities of daily living (ADL) scales at baseline and semiannually over 3 years. The date of NHP was recorded. Results: During the study, 213 patients (24%) were admitted to nursing homes. The mean ± standard deviation time from baseline (AD diagnosis) to NHP was 20.8 ± 9.3 months. After 6 months of ChEI treatment, the improved/unchanged individuals had longer time to NHP than those who worsened. The prolonged time to NHP was 3 months for cognitive response (P=0.022), 4 months for global response (P=0.004), 6 months for basic ADL response (P<0.001), and 8 months for response in all three scales (P<0.001). No differences were detected between the improved and unchanged groups in any scales. Conclusion: Patients who exhibit a positive short-term response to ChEI can expect to stay in their own home for 3-8 months longer. These findings underline the importance of a comprehensive clinical examination including various assessment scales to evaluate treatment response and provide a more accurate prognosis.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)905-916
Number of pages12
JournalCurrent Alzheimer Research
Volume15
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2018 Jan 1

Subject classification (UKÄ)

  • Neurology

Free keywords

  • Activities of daily living
  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • Cholinesterase inhibitors
  • Cognition
  • Nursing home placement
  • Predictors
  • Statistical models
  • Treatment effect

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