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Quality of life in dementia patients in Athens, Greece: predictive factors and the role of caregiver-related factors

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 August 2010

Antonis A. Mougias ,
Antonis Politis ,
Constantine G. Lyketsos  and
Venetsanos G. Mavreas
Antonis A. Mougias
Affiliation:
Alzheimer Center of the Greek Psychogeriatric Association “Nestor”, Athens, Greece
Antonis Politis
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Athens University Medical School, Eginition Hospital, Athens, Greece
Constantine G. Lyketsos
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Johns Hopkins Bayview, Baltimore, MD, U.S.A.
Venetsanos G. Mavreas*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Ioannina, Ioannina, Greece
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Professor Venetsanos Mavreas, Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece. Phone and Fax: +302651097322. Email: vmavreas@cc.uoi.gr.
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Abstract

Background: Quality of life (QOL) is increasingly recognized as the main target of currently available dementia care. Its assessment has grown exponentially in the dementia field, but few studies have examined predictive factors for QOL taking caregiver variables into account. We examined patient and caregiver factors related to the QOL of dementia patients.

Methods: The study design was cross-sectional. 161 couples of community residing dementia patients and their primary caregivers were interviewed. QOL was measured by the ADRQL, a proxy-rated, dementia-specific QOL instrument. Demographic factors were collected and clinical characteristics assessed using validated scales.

Results: In univariate analyses several patient and caregiver characteristics appeared associated with patient QOL. In multivariate analyses, independent predictors of worse patient QOL were behavioral and depressive symptoms of dementia patients, dependency in basic activities of daily living, poorer cognitive function, use of antipsychotic medication, caregiver burden, and caregiver not being an adult child. The adjusted R2 of the final, seven-factor model was 0.598.

Conclusions: QOL for a person with dementia is a complex issue that is associated with several patient and caregiver factors. Efforts to improve patients’ QOL should be addressed for both patients and caregivers. The measurement of QOL should be included, when possible, as a standard measurement tool, in everyday dementia clinical practice.

Keywords

Alzheimer's diseaseADRQLburden
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 23 , Issue 3 , April 2011 , pp. 395 - 403
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2010

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