Dementia-specific drug treatment in home care settings: A German multicentre study.
J Clin Nurs
; 28(5-6): 862-869, 2019 Mar.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30256473
ABSTRACT
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:
The aim of this study was to identify and analyse factors influencing the use of drugs for dementia treatment in home care settings.BACKGROUND:
While the number of care-dependent people with dementia is growing, it is not clear whether their medication follows the state of the art, especially in home care settings where over two-thirds of them are cared for in Germany. Although dementia is not curable, it is possible to reduce cognitive, behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia with the appropriate use of medication. However, there is a lack of information concerning the drug treatment in home care settings.METHODS:
The study was conducted as a multicentre cross-sectional survey, including 923 participants from 102 home care institutions throughout Germany. Medical diagnosis, medication, consultations with a specialist within the previous 12 weeks of the initial assessment and additional general information were assessed following a standardised study protocol. Data were analysed using univariate and multivariate statistical methods. The manuscript was developed utilising the STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies.RESULTS:
In home care, one in seven clients (14.8%) is diagnosed with some form of dementia. 52.6% (n = 72) of them were treated with dementia medication AchEIs 16.1% (n = 22), memantine 9.5% (n = 13), antidepressants 23.4% (n = 32), antipsychotic medication 9.5% (n = 13), tranquilisers 16.8% (n = 23) and anticonvulsant drugs 6.6% (n = 9). Drug treatment for dementia was significantly associated with the consultation of a neurologist/psychiatrist in the previous 12 weeks.CONCLUSIONS:
It has been demonstrated that the use of drugs as a component of home care treatment for dementia depends on many factors and therefore varies. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE It can be assumed that people living with dementia in home care settings are not sufficiently supplied with medication. Their medical care can be improved by establishing interdisciplinary care involving a neurologist/psychiatrist.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Nootrópicos
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Demência
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Serviços de Assistência Domiciliar
Tipo de estudo:
Clinical_trials
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Guideline
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Observational_studies
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Prevalence_studies
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Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Aged
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Aged80
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Female
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Humans
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Male
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2019
Tipo de documento:
Article