Anders Wimo

An economic evaluation of donepezil in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease: results of a 1-year, double-blind, randomized trial.

The costs and consequences of donepezil versus placebo treatment in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease (AD) were evaluated as part of a 1-year prospective, double-blind, randomized, multinational clinical trial. Patients received either donepezil (n = 142; 5 mg/day for 28 days followed by 10 mg/day according to the clinician’s judgement) or placebo (n = 144). Unit costs were assessed in 1999 Swedish kronas (SEK) and converted to US dollars (USD). Donepezil-treated patients gained functional benefits relative to placebo on the Progressive Deterioration Scale (p = 0.042) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale (p = 0.025) at week 52. Caregivers of donepezil-treated patients spent an average of 400 h less annually providing care than caregivers of placebo-treated patients. Mean annual healthcare costs were SEK 137,752 (USD 16,438) per patient for the donepezil group and SEK 135,314 (USD 16,147) in the placebo group. With the average annual cost of donepezil at SEK 10,723 (USD 1,280) per patient, the SEK 2,438 (USD 291) cost difference represented a 77% cost offset. When caregiver time and healthcare costs were included, mean annual costs were SEK 209,244 (USD 24,969) per patient in the donepezil group and SEK 218,434 (USD 26,066) in the placebo group, a total saving associated with donepezil treatment of SEK 9,190 (USD 1,097) per patient [95% CI of SEK –43,959 (USD –5,246), SEK 25,581 (USD 3,053); p = 0.6]. The positive effects on the efficacy outcome measures combined with no additional costs from a societal perspective indicate that donepezil is a cost-effective treatment, representing an improved strategy for the management of patients with AD.

Cost-utility analysis of group living in dementia care.

A cost-utility analysis (CUA) was applied to group living for dementia patients. A Markov-model of an expected life-length of 8 years was used. Forty-six patients in group living were compared to 39 patients living at home by inclusion and 23 institutionalized patients. When the cost per gained quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) was calculated, the group living alternative was the most favorable for the patients, giving a cost per paired QALY of US dollars < 0. In the extensive sensitivity analysis the main result was consistent but methodological problems were indicated.

Predictive validity of factors influencing the institutionalization of elderly people with psycho-geriatric disorders.

The predictive validity of certain items was tested with respect to their influence on the institutionalization of elderly people with psycho-geriatric disorders (n = 69). Twelve items measuring both the patients condition and the exhaustion around the patient were tested. Two outcome measurements were used, the first measuring the number of patients who were institutionalized after the end of 12 months and the second measuring the number of days at an institution during 12 months. The items Exhaustion of spouse and Supervision need showed the highest correlation with institutionalization and predicted institutionalization, better than items describing the degree of dementia.

Can changes in ward routines affect the severity of dementia? A controlled prospective study.

An extensive new caring program--including the introduction of Individual Care Plans and changes in ward organization, caring techniques, and caring philosophy--was introduced at two psychogeriatric wards with severely demented patients. The hypotheses were that the patients (n = 31) would improve in psychosocial capacity and orientation and the staff work load would decline in contrast to two other wards with a similar clientele (n = 31). After ten months the milieu was more homelike, routines were more flexible, and the staff communicated more with the patients. However, the hypotheses were not proven. All patients in both groups deteriorated in ADL capacity, orientation, and behavior. The patients in the program wards became significantly more restless and disoriented and ate less than the patients in the contrast wards. The conclusion is that, despite optimal care, a humanistic approach, and support from staff, the progression of dementia symptoms is inevitable.

What are the costs to society and to individuals regarding diagnostic procedures and care of patients with dementia

The total cost for the care of the demented has grown rapidly during recent decades as a consequence of the increasing number of people with dementia. Since the prevalence of dementia is correlated to increasing age (l), thus, the most prominent reason for the increase is the growing number of elderly people, particularly the “oldest-old”. The care of the demented causes an extensive use of caring resources which, therefore, has significant effects on escalating health-care costs. Another important factor is the financial crisis in the public sectors of the western countries (2, 3). Therefore, studies focusing on the costs of dementia care are of great interest. Even if there are several studies which focus on the resource use of the demented persons, studies that specifically address the economic effects expressed in monetary terms are rare.

Patients With Dementia in Group Living: Experiences 4 Years After Admission

Sixteen patients with dementia were studied 4 years after admission to group-living (GL) units, an intermediate level of dementia care. Of eight patients who were still alive, four lived in the GL units and four had been institutionalized. The eight patients who had died had spent 89% of their survival time in GL. Aggression was the most frequent cause of institutionalization.