Results : Intentional factors affecting adherence include patient , caregiver and prescriber beliefs about therapies and the disease itself .
Conclusion : Due to the high level of caregiver involvement in the care of patients with AD , strategies that address caregiver concerns may improve adherence
Background / Aims : Treatment adherence is a major problem in numerous medical conditions , and is a particular challenge in patients with Alzheimer 's disease ( AD ) .
Outcome of Alzheimer's disease: potential impact of cholinesterase inhibitors.
BACKGROUND Alzheimer 's disease is fast becoming a major public health concern with serious economic consequences . The cholinesterase inhibitors ( CEIs ) offer some benefit in the symptomatic treatment of the disease . This study aims to investigate the effect of CEIs on three clinical ly relevant domains ( rapid cognitive decline , institutionalization , and weight loss ) in patients with Alzheimer 's disease . METHODS A prospect i ve observational study was performed in which a population of 455 Alzheimer 's disease patients were recruited and followed up for at least 1 year between 1994 and 2002 . Patients were reevaluated at 6 monthly intervals using st and ardized neurocognitive and geriatric evaluations  in addition to complete clinical examination , st and ard para clinical investigations , and recording of treatment received . RESULTS The risk of rapid cognitive deterioration was significantly decreased in patients taking CEIs for at least 1 year compared to untreated patients ( odds ratio [OR]=0.56 , 95 % confidence interval [ CI ] , 0.34 - 0.93 ; p=.025 ) . The potential benefit of CEI use was also found on institutionalization ( OR=0.2 , 95 % CI , 0.08 - 0.48 ; p<.001 ) and weight loss ( OR=0.56 , 95 % CI , 0.32 - 0.97 ; p=.039 ) after 1 year of follow-up . CONCLUSION The special interest of this study is that all patients were recruited and followed in the same center with the same management care plan and the same medical team . This follow-up offers us a unique opportunity to compare the 1-year evolution of the disease in clinical practice before and after the marketing of CEIs and allows us to demonstrate a clinical ly significant improvement in patient outcome over time
Results : Intentional factors affecting adherence include patient , caregiver and prescriber beliefs about therapies and the disease itself .
Conclusion : Due to the high level of caregiver involvement in the care of patients with AD , strategies that address caregiver concerns may improve adherence
Background / Aims : Treatment adherence is a major problem in numerous medical conditions , and is a particular challenge in patients with Alzheimer 's disease ( AD ) .