QUALITY OF LIFE IN ALZHEIMERS DISEASE

描述（改编自研究者摘要）： 建议的研究是纵向评估生活质量（QOL）， 阿尔茨海默病（AD）患者，并确定 影响这一人群的QOL。 拟议的调查是基于 成人发展的符号互动和交易理论，以及 提出了一个模型的生活质量在AD，包括个人和 环境特征，并结合客观和主观 患者QOL的评估。 它建立在调查员之前 评估AD患者抑郁、愉快事件、行为的研究 问题;照顾者的压力和反应;和人际关系 AD患者和家庭照顾者之间的问题;以及QOL 慢性病和老年人文学。 调查有两个目的。 目标1是开发和管理， 对40名社区居住的AD患者及其 家庭照顾者。 心理测量数据，包括内部一致性， 重测信度、评分者间信度、内容效度和结构效度 将针对患者和护理人员报告进行评估。 目的2是对200名受试者的生活质量变化进行纵向调查， 社区居住的AD患者。 受试者将每六个月重新评估一次 在三年的时间里。 目标1中开发的QOL测量 将与其他属性的评估一起进行沿着 假设与QOL相关，包括患者和护理人员 人口统计学特征;患者认知、功能和健康 状态;行为问题和情绪;照顾者负担和情绪;以及 病人-照顾者的人际关系。 调查结果将提供：（a）评估反倾销措施 患者的QOL;（B）对患者QOL变化的评估， 功能随时间和疾病进展而下降;以及 病人生活质量与其他重要病人及照顾者关系 特色 通过识别可能预测QOL变化的变量， 这项调查将有助于制定干预措施， 最大化AD患者的生活质量。

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from Investigator's abstract): 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.