Comorbid psychosocial symptoms and quality of life in patients with dementia

A. Lynn Snow, Radhika Dani, Julianne Souchek, Greer Sullivan, Carol M. Ashton, Mark E. Kunik

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: The authors examined the association between treatable comorbid psychosocial symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in patients with dementia. In an effort to develop a more comprehensive understanding of this relationship, this study included both patient reports of their QOL and caregiver reports of patient QOL. Methods: Eighty-nine dyads, consisting of a community-residing veteran with dementia and his family caregiver, were interviewed once to determine the correlation between patient QOL and depression, functional disability, pain, and agitation. Results: Higher patient-rated QOL was significantly associated with lower patient depression. Higher caregiver-rated patient QOL was associated with lower caregiver depression and higher patient functional status. Agitation was not related to patient-rated or caregiver-rated patient QOL. Conclusions: Authors discuss the psychometric and conceptual implications of possible differences between self- and other-ratings of QOL, and treatment implications for caregiver-education interventions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)393-401
Number of pages9
JournalAmerican Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Volume13
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2005

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geriatrics and Gerontology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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