Measuring quality of life in dementia: purposes, goals, challenges and progress

• Published in: International psychogeriatrics Vol. 19; no. 3; pp. 401 - 407
• Main Authors: Rabins, Peter V., Black, Betty S.
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Cambridge, UK Cambridge University Press 01.06.2007
• Subjects: Aged; Alzheimer Disease - diagnosis; Alzheimer Disease - psychology; Alzheimer Disease - therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Clinical Trials as Topic; Consensus papers; Degenerative and inherited degenerative diseases of the nervous system. Leukodystrophies. Prion diseases; Dementia; Geriatrics; Humans; Medical sciences; Neurology; Neuropsychological Tests; Nootropic Agents - adverse effects; Nootropic Agents - therapeutic use; Outcome Assessment (Health Care); Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Quality of life; Quality of Life - psychology; Sickness Impact Profile; Human; Nervous system diseases; Goal; Existential project; Central nervous system disease; Degenerative disease; Elderly; Cerebral disorder; Senile dementia; Quality of life
• ISSN: 1041-6102; 1741-203X
• DOI: 10.1017/S1041610207004863

The choice of outcomes in clinical research should be influenced by a linkage between the targeted symptom or disorder and the outcome being measured, the clinical meaningfulness of the outcome, and the ability to measure the outcome accurately. Dementia, defined as a syndrome consisting of disorders that impair two or more distinct cognitive capacities, occur in clear consciousness, and begin in adulthood, presents unique challenges in the choice of appropriate outcomes for treatment trials.