A Qualitative Assessment of the Concept of Dependence in Alzheimer's Disease


Por: Frank, L, Howard, K, Jones, R, Lacey, L, Leibman, C, Lleo, A, Mannix, S, Mucha, L, McLaughlin, T, Zarit, S

Publicada: 1 may 2010
Resumen:
Background: The Dependence Scale (DS) was designed to assess levels of patient need for care due to deficits typical of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study examined content validity of the DS based on input from patients, caregivers, and clinicians. Methods: Qualitative interviews with experts, patients, and caregivers were used to collect information on the concept of dependence and to assess content validity. Results: Nine clinicians rated item relevance "high'' with consensus on the primacy of functional abilities and dependence in the measurement of AD progression. Twenty-two US, 11 UK, and 14 informal caregivers from Spain participated in focus groups; 18 patients participated in 3 separate focus groups. Discussion supported DS hierarchy of dependence, capture of mild-to-severe dependence, suitability of response options, and short recall time frame. Conclusions: Clinicians, caregivers, and patients support content validity of the DS in mild-to-moderate AD. The DS may be valuable to capture dependence within future clinical dementia trials.

Filiaciones:
Frank, L:
 United BioSource Corp, Ctr Hlth Outcomes Res, Hlth Care Analyt Grp, Bethesda, MD 20814 USA

Howard, K:
 United BioSource Corp, Ctr Hlth Outcomes Res, Hlth Care Analyt Grp, Bethesda, MD 20814 USA

Jones, R:
 Res Inst Care Elderly, Bath, Avon, England

Lacey, L:
 Elan Pharmaceut, San Francisco, CA USA

Leibman, C:
 Elan Pharmaceut, San Francisco, CA USA

Lleo, A:
 Hosp Santa Creu & Sant Pau, Barcelona, Spain

Mannix, S:
 United BioSource Corp, Ctr Hlth Outcomes Res, Hlth Care Analyt Grp, Bethesda, MD 20814 USA

Mucha, L:
 Wyeth Pharmaceut, Collegeville, PA USA

McLaughlin, T:
 Elan Pharmaceut, San Francisco, CA USA

Zarit, S:
 Penn State Univ, Dept Human Dev & Family Studies, University Pk, PA 16802 USA
ISSN: 15333175





American Journal of Alzheimers Disease and Other Dementias
Editorial
SAGE PUBLICATIONS INC, 2455 TELLER RD, THOUSAND OAKS, CA 91320 USA, Estados Unidos America
Tipo de documento: Article
Volumen: 25 Número: 3
Páginas: 239-247
WOS Id: 000277307100006
ID de PubMed: 20147602

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