| Autor: |
Lindner K, Bédard M, Molloy DW, Martin NJ, Lever JA |
| Zdroj: |
Clinical Gerontologist; 2001, Vol. 22 Issue 3/4, p13-21, 9p |
| Abstrakt: |
Background: Medication use can have adverse effects. This problem is especially relevant to older adults, and maybe more so to older adults who have cognitive impairment. The goal of this study was to determine if a memory clinic could help reduce medication use and improve function in older adults with Alzheimer's disease (AD).Methods: This study used a pre-post design and relied on retrospective chart abstraction of 99 patients with AD. Medication use and function were assessed before and after referral to a university-affiliated memory clinic for assessment.Results: Medication use was reduced from 3.4 prescription and over the-counter medications prior assessments, to 2.9 at follow-up (p = .016). Overall cost of medications was reduced by $8.84US per patient per month (p = .004), representing a potential yearly saving of more than $10,000US for the sample studied. Decreases in overall medication use were associated with increases in cognition as measured by the Standardized Mini-Mental State Examination (r = 0.24, p = .023).Interpretation: Memory clinic for AD patients may have health and economic benefits. Further study is required to clarify causal links between the assessment process and outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
| Databáze: |
Complementary Index |
| Externí odkaz: |
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