Medication use in Alzheimer's disease and healthy aging: Results from a research registry

Eli H. Mizrahi, Thomas Fritsch, David S. Geldmacher, S. Geldmacher, Amir H. Soas, Robert P. Friedland, Alan J. Lerner*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine if decreased utilization of specific medication in individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) reflects a global process of decreased medication usage. Participants were 1103 individuals (461 controls; 437 probable AD; 161 possible AD, and 44 Mixed Dementia), drawn from our Alzheimer's Disease Research Registry. Medication usage at entry into the registry did not differ between controls and probable AD cases. Possible AD and the mixed dementia cases took significantly more medications than controls or probable AD cases. Longitudinal analysis showed no significant changes in controls and mixed dementia cases up to 2 years, and use increased in possible and probable AD cases over time. Stratification of subjects by MMSE scores at entry showed no significant difference between groups. Medication use in probable AD patients does not differ from controls, and does not seem to be subject to systematic bias based on disease progression (as measured by MMSE scores). The presence of co-morbidity adds to medication utilization. Cognitive impairment does not appear to affect total medication use, suggesting that specific medication utilization patterns are unlikely to be the result of larger usage patterns.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)75-84
Number of pages10
JournalClinical Gerontologist
Volume24
Issue number1-2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes

Funding

FundersFunder number
Mandel Foundation
National Institutes of HealthP50-AG08012
National Institute on Aging
Alzheimer's Association
American Physicians Fellowship for Medicine in Israel

    Keywords

    • Activities of daily living
    • Alzheimer's disease
    • Drug utilization

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