Factors Associated with the Attitudes toward Dementia in Community Caregivers: Results from the Nationwide Survey on Dementia Care in Korea

OBJECTIVE: We investigated caregivers' attitudes toward dementia, which may play a key role in the timely treatment and optimal care of people with dementia (PWD), and patient and caregiver factors potentially associated with these attitudes. METHODS: As a part of the Nationwide Survey on Dementia Care in Korea, we evaluated the attitudes of 731 community-dwelling caregivers of PWD with the Dementia Attitude Scale (DAS). Using stepwise multiple regression analysis, we investigated the sociodemographic factors of the caregivers, the clinicodemographic factors of the PWD, and the situational factors of caregiving that may influence caregivers' attitudes. RESULTS: The mean score on the DAS total was 80.65+/-16.0 (maximum : 140). The mean score on the DAS Knowledge subscale, which reflects awareness of dementia, was 42.86+/-9.6 (maximum : 70), and that on the DAS Comfort subscale, which reflects emotional and behavioral attitudes toward dementia, was 37.79+/-10.3 (maximum : 70). Non-spouse caregiver, living in a rural area, completion of a formal care education program (caregiver factors) and female patient, high educational level, high clinical dementia rating and mild behavioral symptoms (patient factors) were associated with a high DAS total score. CONCLUSION: We found much room for improvement in caregivers' attitudes towards PWD in Korea, indicating a need for strategies to improve these attitudes, targeting the at-risk group.

Use of corticosteroids in the treatment of localized langerhans cell histiocytosis of the mandible : Case report

Clinical & Radiographic Evaluation Following Delayed Implantation using Regular Diameter Implants in the Posterior Region

The purpose of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiographic changes of regular diameter implants placed in the posterior region. A total of 47 standard diameter implants were consecutively placed in the posterior region of 20 partially edentulous patients. The diameters of the implants were 4.1mm (N=35, 74%) and 4.3mm (N=12, 26%), respectively. Peri-implant bone loss and clinical parameters such as mobility, suppuration, swelling, bleeding on probing (BOP) were evaluated at the baseline and?the final follow-up visit. The age of the patients ranged between 24~82 years (mean age: 54.7 years). The cumulative survival rate of the regular diameter implants loaded for a period of 3-24 months (Mean: 11.7+/-7.9 month) was 100%. The average bone loss over the follow-up was 0.36+/-0.67 mm. Success rate was 95.7%. Only two implants failed (bone loss exceeding 1mm after 1 year of placement). Some prosthetic complications occurred, such as screw loosening (N=1) and dissolution of cementation material (N=2). The present study describes successful outcome following the use of standard-diameter-implants placed in the posterior region, and further comprehensive maintenance practices and follow-up schedules are required.