The goal of the proposed investigation is to longitudinally assess quality of life (QOL) in individuals with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and to identify variables that influence QOL in this population. The proposed investigation is based on symbolic interaction and transactional theories of adult development, and proposes a model of QOL in AD that includes both individual and environmental characteristics and incorporates objective and subjective assessments of patient QOL. It builds upon the investigator's prior research evaluating AD patient depression, pleasant events, behavior problems; caregiver stress and reactivity; and interpersonal relationship issues between AD patients and family caregivers; as well as on the QOL literature in chronic illness and the elderly. The investigation has two aims.
Aim 1 is to develop and administer and assessment of patient QOL to 40 community-residing AD patients and their family caregivers. Psychometric data, including internal consistency, test-retest and inter-rater reliability, and content and construct validity will be evaluated for both patient and caregiver reports.
Aim 2 is a longitudinal investigation of changes in QOL in a total of 200 community-residing AD patients. Subjects will be re-evaluated every six months over a three-year time period. The QOL measure developed in Aim 1 will be administered, along with assessments of other attributes hypothesized to be related to QOL, including patient and caregiver demographic characteristics; patient cognitive, functional, and health status; behavioral problems and mood; caregiver burden and mood; and patient-caregiver interpersonal relationship. Results of the investigation will provide: (a) a measure for evaluating AD patients' QOL; (b) an evaluation of changes in patient QOL as cognitive functioning declines over time and disease progression; and an analysis of the relationship of patient QOL with other important patient and caregiver characteristics. By identifying variables that may predict changes in QOL, this investigation will assist in the development of interventions to maximize AD patients' QOL.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute on Aging (NIA)
Type
First Independent Research Support & Transition (FIRST) Awards (R29)
Project #
1R29AG013757-01A1
Application #
2001826
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG2-HUD-2 (03))
Project Start
1997-07-01
Project End
2002-06-30
Budget Start
1997-07-01
Budget End
1998-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
1997
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Washington
Department
Psychiatry
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
135646524
City
Seattle
State
WA
Country
United States
Zip Code
98195
McCurry, Susan M; Gibbons, Laura E; Logsdon, Rebecca G et al. (2009) Insomnia In Caregivers Of Persons With Dementia: Who Is At Risk And What Can Be Done About It? Sleep Med Clin 4:519-526
McCurry, Susan M; Vitiello, Michael V; Gibbons, Laura E et al. (2006) Factors associated with caregiver reports of sleep disturbances in persons with dementia. Am J Geriatr Psychiatry 14:112-20
McCurry, Susan M; Gibbons, Laura E; Logsdon, Rebecca G et al. (2005) Nighttime insomnia treatment and education for Alzheimer's disease: a randomized, controlled trial. J Am Geriatr Soc 53:793-802
McCurry, Susan M; Gibbons, Laura E; Logsdon, Rebecca G et al. (2003) Training caregivers to change the sleep hygiene practices of patients with dementia: the NITE-AD project. J Am Geriatr Soc 51:1455-60
Logsdon, Rebecca G; Gibbons, Laura E; McCurry, Susan M et al. (2002) Assessing quality of life in older adults with cognitive impairment. Psychosom Med 64:510-9