Predictors and Moderators of Quality of Life in Alzheimer's Disease Patients.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic degenerative disease leading to global cognitive and functional decline. Quality of Life (QOL) is an important variable in the effectiveness of intervention programs in dementia. OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed the relationships between gender, psychological variables and QOL, the predictors of QOL, and the role of spirituality as a moderator between functionality and QOL. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 128 patients with mild AD. RESULTS: Being a male, good social support, and high functionality were significant predictors of better QOL. Spirituality was a moderator in the relationship between functionality and QOL. CONCLUSION: These results reinforce the importance of gender, psychological morbidity, social support, and functionality, with special emphasis on the role of spirituality, regarding intervention programs that promote QOL, in patients with mild AD.