Differences in severity of apathy in patients with cortical in regard to subcortical dementia

Abstract

Ciljevi istraživanja: Ciljevi istraživanja bili su utvrditi prisutnost i težinu apatije u bolesnika s kortikalnom i supkortikalnom demencijom te moguće razlike u pojavnosti i stupnju težine apatije između njih. Također, cilj je bio utvrditi postoji li povezanost dobi, spola, obrazovanja i trajanja demencije sa simptomima apatije te postoji li povezanost apatije i aktivnosti dnevnog življenja. Ustroj studije: Presječna studija. Ispitanici i metode: U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 13 ispitanika iz skupine njegovatelja oboljelih od demencije u sklopu Parkinsonove bolesti i 22 ispitanik iz skupine njegovatelja oboljelih od demencije u sklopu Alzheimerove bolesti. Ispitivanje je provedeno na Klinici za neurologiju KBC-a Osijek. Korišteni su demografski upitnik, Skala evaluacije apatije (AES) i upitnik Instrumentalnih aktivnosti dnevnog življenja (IADL). Rezultati: Utvrđena je prisutnost apatije u 83% oboljelih od Alzheimerove bolesti te u 85% oboljelih od Parkinsonove bolesti. Nije utvrđena razlika u učestalosti i težini stupnju apatije između skupina. Ispitanici s kortikalnom demencijom imali su značajnije smetnje u pojedinim domenama ispitanima skalom. Apatija se pokazala kao čimbenik koji narušava aktivnosti dnevnog življenja u ispitanika s kortikalnim tipom demencije. Utvrđeno je da dužina trajanja kortikalne demencije korelira s težinom kognitivnih, emocionalnih i ostalih funkcija. Nisu pronađene razlike u težini apatije ovisno o spolu, dobi i stručnoj spremi. Zaključak: Apatija je prisutna u obje skupine ispitanika. Nema statistički značajne razlike u učestalosti i stupnju težine apatije među skupinama. Ispitani demografski čimbenici ne utječu na stupanj apatije. U demenciji kortikalnog tipa, apatija utječe na aktivnosti dnevnog življenja. Aktivnosti dnevnog življenja nemaju utjecaj na stupanj apatije.Objective: The objectives of this research were to determine presence and degree of apathy in patients with cortical and those with subcortical dementia and possible differences in frequency and degree of apathy between them, to examine the correlation between age, sex, education and symptoms of apathy as well as to examine the correlation between apathy and activities of daily life. Study design: cross-sectional study Participants and methods: The research included 13 caregivers of people who suffer from dementia due to Parkinson's disease and 22 caregivers of people who suffer from dementia due to Alzheimer's disease. The research was conducted at the Clinic of Neurology, Clinical Hospital Center Osijek. As a research tool, the socio-demographic survey, The Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES) and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living Scale (IADL) were used. Results: Apathy was present in 83% of people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and in 85% of people suffering from Parkinson’s disease. There were no statistically significant differences in frequency and degree of apathy between those two groups. People suffering from cortical dementia had more difficulties in certain areas measured with apathy scale. For them, apathy was also a significant factor of disturbance in instrumental activities of daily life. Duration of symptoms in cortical dementia was correlated with the severity in cognitive, emotional and other functions. There were no significant differences in severity of apathy according to age, gender and education. Conclusion: Apathy was present in both groups of patients. There were no differences in frequency and apathy degree between them. Demographic factors had no influence on the severity of apathy. In cortical dementia, apathy had an effect on activities of daily life. Activities of day-to-day living had no significant influence on apathy