Table 1.
Baseline characteristics of the 61 patients included in the study and their main caregivers, and univariate comparison of patients with versus without rapid cognitive decline at 12 months
| Overall (n = 61)a | RCD (n = 28)a | No RCD (n = 33)a | p | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patients | ||||
| Ageb | 81.7±6.6 | 81.4±6.0 | 81.9±7.1 | 0.85 |
| Male sex | 23 (37.7) | 11 (39.3) | 12 (36.4) | 0.81 |
| High school diploma or higher education | 19 (31.7) | 11 (40.7) | 8 (24.2) | 0.17 |
| Home nurse | 17 (28.3) | 7 (25.0) | 10 (31.2) | 0.59 |
| Home help for housework | 33 (54.1) | 13 (46.4) | 20 (60.6) | 0.27 |
| Home delivery of meals | 14 (22.9) | 6 (21.4) | 8 (24.2) | 0.79 |
| Attending day care centre | 13 (21.7) | 9 (32.1) | 4 (12.5) | 0.06 |
| Presence of malnutritionc | 9 (15.2) | 3 (11.5) | 6 (18.2) | 0.72 |
| Charlson indexb | 1.5±1.2 | 1.5±1.4 | 1.4±1.1 | 0.88 |
| Polymedicationb, d | 21 (35.6) | 6 (23.0) | 15 (45.4) | 0.07 |
| MMSE scoreb | 21.0±4.7 | 20.0±4.7 | 21.8±4.5 | 0.11 |
| NPI: global scoreb | 11.9±10.7 | 13.0±9.6 | 11.0±11.7 | 0.11 |
| NPI subscales: | ||||
| Delusions | 6 (9.8) | 3 (10.7) | 3 (9.1) | 0.83 |
| Hallucinations | 1 (1.7) | 1 (3.7) | 0 (0.0) | 0.45 |
| Agitation/aggression | 28 (45.9) | 15 (53.6) | 13 (39.4) | 0.27 |
| Depressed mood | 2 (3.8) | 1 (4.2) | 1 (3.6) | 0.91 |
| Anxiety | 32 (52.5) | 14 (50.0) | 18 (54.5) | 0.72 |
| Euphoria | 18 (29.5) | 9 (32.1) | 9 (27.3) | 0.68 |
| Apathy | 32 (52.5) | 15 (53.6) | 17 (51.5) | 0.87 |
| Disinhibition | 12 (19.7) | 9 (32.1) | 3 (9.1) | 0.02 |
| Motor disturbance | 3 (5.0) | 2 (7.1) | 1 (3.1) | 0.59 |
| Irritability | 29 (47.5) | 16 (57.1) | 13 (39.4) | 0.17 |
| Sleep disturbance | 16 (26.2) | 9 (32.1) | 7 (21.2) | 0.33 |
| Appetite disturbance | 17 (27.9) | 9 (32.1) | 8 (24.2) | 0.49 |
| Existence of severe depression | 2 (3.3) | 1 (3.6) | 1 (3.0) | 0.90 |
| ADL scoreb | 5.1±1.2 | 4.9±1.3 | 5.3±1.1 | 0.18 |
| Washing | 38 (62.3) | 15 (53.6) | 23 (69.7) | 0.19 |
| Dressing | 43 (70.5) | 17 (60.7) | 26 (78.8) | 0.12 |
| Toileting | 52 (85.2) | 23 (82.1) | 29 (87.9) | 0.72 |
| Transferring | 51 (83.6) | 23 (82.1) | 28 (84.8) | 0.78 |
| Continence | 40 (65.6) | 18 (64.3) | 22 (66.7) | 0.84 |
| Feeding | 55 (90.2) | 24 (85.7) | 31 (93.9) | 0.40 |
| IADL scoreb | 1.9±1.3 | 1.7±1.2 | 2.1±1.4 | 0.30 |
| Ability to use telephone | 52 (85.2) | 24 (85.7) | 28 (84.8) | 0.92 |
| Ability to do shopping | 16 (26.7) | 4 (14.3) | 12 (37.5) | 0.04 |
| Ability to use transport | 32 (52.5) | 14 (50.0) | 18 (54.6) | 0.72 |
| Ability to manage own treatment | 16 (26.2) | 5 (17.9) | 11 (33.3) | 0.17 |
| DQoLb | ||||
| Self-esteem | 3.3±0.8 | 3.4±0.7 | 3.3±0.9 | 0.68 |
| Positive affect/humour | 3.6±0.7 | 3.8±0.6 | 3.5±0.8 | 0.12 |
| Negative affects | 2.3±0.6 | 2.2±0.7 | 2.4±0.6 | 0.33 |
| Feeling of belonging | 3.5±0.8 | 3.7±0.8 | 3.4±0.8 | 0.22 |
| Sense of aesthetics | 3.3±0.8 | 3.4±0.8 | 3.2±0.8 | 0.55 |
| Caregivers | ||||
| Ageb | 66.6±14.4 | 66.7±15.6 | 67.5±13.5 | 0.85 |
| Male sex | 16 (26.2) | 6 (21.4) | 10 (30.3) | 0.43 |
| Immediate family caregiver (spouse or child of patient) | 47 (77.0) | 19 (67.9) | 28 (84.8) | 0.12 |
| Presence of caregiver burden | 28 (54.9) | 16 (76.2) | 12 (40.02) | 0.01 |
RCD, rapid cognitive decline; MMSE, Mini Mental State Examination; NPI, Neuropsychiatric Inventory; ADL, Activities of Daily Living; IADL, Instrumental Activities of Daily Living; DQoL, Dementia Quality of Life.
a Data expressed as number (%) unless otherwise indicated. b Data expressed as mean ± standard deviation. c Body mass index <21. d Consumption of 4 or more medications.