Wallin AK, Andreasen N, Eriksson S, Båtsman S, Nasman B, Ekdahl A, Kilander L, Grut M, Rydén M, Wallin A, Jonsson M, Olofsson H, Londos E, Wattmo C, Eriksdotter Jonhagen M, Minthon L. Donepezil in Alzheimer's disease: what to expect after 3 years of treatment in a routine clinical setting.
Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord 2007;
23:150-60. [PMID:
17312368 DOI:
10.1159/000098052]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/04/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS
Clinical short-term trails have shown positive effects of donepezil treatment in patients with Alzheimer's disease. The outcome of continuous long-term treatment in the routine clinical settings remains to be investigated.
METHODS
The Swedish Alzheimer Treatment Study (SATS) is a descriptive, prospective, longitudinal, multicentre study. Four hundred and thirty-five outpatients with the clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, received treatment with donepezil. Patients were assessed with Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-cog), global rating (CIBIC) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) at baseline and every 6 months for a total period of 3 years.
RESULTS
The mean MMSE change from baseline was positive for more than 6 months and in subgroups of patients for 12 months. After 3 years of treatment the mean change from baseline in MMSE-score was 3.8 points (95% CI, 3.0-4.7) and the ADAS-cog rise was 8.2 points (95% CI, 6.4-10.1). This is better than expected in untreated historical cohorts, and better than the ADAS-cog rise calculated by the Stern equation (15.6 points; 95% CI, 14.5-16.6). After 3 years with 38% of the patients remaining, 30% of the them were unchanged or improved in the global assessment.
CONCLUSION
Three-year donepezil treatment showed a positive global and cognitive outcome in the routine clinical setting.
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