Risk factors of distress in Alzheimer's patients

ABSTRACT

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Distress of Alzheimer's disease (AD) contribute significantly to decreased quality of life, increased morbidity, higher levels of caregiver distress, and the decision to institutionalise a patient. However, the risk factors of distress in AD patients have not been thoroughly discussed. The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors of distress in AD patients.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>A large randomised controlled clinical trial on AD was analysed in this study. Both linear regression and decision tree models were used to identify the factors of distress in AD patients.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The following variables were recognised as risk factors for AD patient's distress: Care recipients often visit physicians or have medical examinations; Care recipients take medicines that affect the central nervous system or stomach; Care recipients seldom visit nurses; Caregivers have chronic disease or cancer; Caregiver experience distress, feel lonely, or have an unsatisfactory relationship with patients. In addition, caregiver's smoking and drinking were found to correlate negatively with AD patient's distress.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Multiple factors influence the distress of Alzheimer's patients, including patient's examination and medication, patient-caregiver relationships, caregiver's psychological and physical status, and the use of nursing services. These factors should be targeted when designing prevention and intervention strategies.</p>