Background: Depression is a prevalent and disabling condition in older persons (≥60 years) that increases the risk of mortality and negatively influences quality

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Depression and Quality of Life in Older Persons: A Review

Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) provide a simple technique for measuring subjective experience. They have been established as valid and reliable in a range of clinical and research applications, although there is also evidence of increased error and decreased sensitivity when used with some subject groups. Decisions concerned with the choice of scoring interval, experimental design, and statistical analysis for VAS have in some instances been based on convention, assumption and convenience, highlighting the need for more comprehensive assessment of individual scales if this versatile and sensitive measurement technique is to be used to full advantage.

https://www.cambridge.org/core/services/aop-cambridge-core/content/view/S0033291700009934

Clinical applications of visual analogue scales: a critical review.

This study evaluated efficacy and safety of donepezil hydrochloride (donepezil) at 5 mg/day in patients with mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's disease for 24 weeks in a double-blind, placebo-controlled comparative trial In this study, 268 patients were enrolled and 39 of these (15%) were withdrawn In the evaluable population of efficacy, Protocol-Compatible (PC) analyzed patients (n = 228), better effects than that of placebo were confirmed using two primary efficacy measures: a cognitive performance test, the Japanese version of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale - cognitive subscale (ADAS-J cog, p = 0003) and a clinical global assessment, the Japanese version of the Clinical Global Impression of Change (J-CGIC, p = 0000) The superiority of donepezil was also shown by secondary measures: the Sum of the Boxes of the Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR-SB), the Mental Function Impairment Scale (MENFIS) and the caregiver-rated modified Crichton scale (CMCS) The same results were obtained in the intention-to-treat (ITT) analysis (n = 263) The incidence of drug-related adverse events was 10% (14/136) in the donepezil and 8% (10/131) in the placebo group; no significant difference was seen between the two groups The main adverse events were gastrointestinal symptoms, and these were almost all mild, and they all disappeared with continued administration or temporary discontinuation of donepezil These results indicate that the donepezil appears to be effective and well tolerated in patients with mild to moderately severe Alzheimer's disease

Clinical efficacy and safety of donepezil on cognitive and global function in patients with Alzheimer's disease. A 24-week, multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in Japan. E2020 Study Group.

We have evaluated the association between trunk deformities of the sagittal plane and functional impairment of daily living in community-dwelling elderly subjects. The analysis involved a detailed assessment of indoor and outdoor activities of daily living, satisfaction with life, and mental status. The participants in this study were 236 community-dwelling older adults, aged 65 years and older, living in Kahoku district of Kochi in Japan. The participants were classified based on their posture, which was assessed using photographs of the subjects, and interviewed to assess their basic activities of daily living (BADL), instrumental ADL (IADL), and cognitive well-being in the cross-sectional study. The statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney U-test. The lumbar kyphosis group received significantly lower BADL and IADL scores than the normal group. The trunk deformity group which were defined as kyphosis, flat back, and lumbar lordosis groups exhibited decreases in activities that included going out, shopping, depositing and withdrawing money, and visiting friends in the hospital. These activities require going outdoors; thus, this study showed that the trunk deformity group had limitations in outdoor activities. There was no significant difference between the geriatric depression score (GDS) and the pattern of posture. The abnormal trunk deformity groups tended to score lower than the normal group with regard to subjective healthiness and life satisfaction measures, including subjective health condition, everyday feeling, satisfaction with human relationships, satisfaction with economic condition, and satisfaction with present life.

Trunk deformity is associated with a reduction in outdoor activities of daily living and life satisfaction in community-dwelling older people.

Depression, activities of daily living, and quality of life of community-dwelling elderly in three Asian countries: Indonesia, Vietnam, and Japan.

A visual analogue scale has been constructed to allow relatives and professionals to rate the behaviour of elderly patients. The scale has been shown to have good inter-rater reliability, test-retest reliability and validity. It is suggested that the scale can provide a quick and convenient initial assessment of the patient either at home or in hospital, and possibly also a measure of change.

Diana P. Morrison

Papers

The Crichton Visual Analogue Scale for the assessment of behaviour in the elderly