Table 2.

Baseline characteristics of the study sample

Number of patients	124
Age, mean ± SD (range), years	78.0 ± 7.7 (55–94)
Female, n (%)	57 (46)
Education, mean ± SD (range), years	10.8 ± 2.8 (3–18)
Duration of illness, mean ± SD (range), years	1.2 ± 1.4 (1–7)
Patient MMSE score, mean ± SD (range)	21.9 ± 5.1 (8–30)
Informant MMSE score, mean ± SD (range)	28.3 ± 1.7 (24–30)
CDR global score—very mild	39%
CDR global score—mild	41%
CDR global score—moderate	20%
Informant—spouse	57%
Informant—children	29%
Informant—others	14%
Living with the patient	62%
Daily contact	15%
Contact more than once per week	23%
Relationship length, mean ± SD (range), years	45.4 ± 14.6 (6–77)

Abbreviations: SD, standard deviation; MMSE, Mini–Mental State Examination; CDR, clinical dementia rating.