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Alzheimer's Research & Therapy
Published in: Alzheimer's Research & Therapy 1/2018

Open Access 01-12-2018 | Review

Utility of the Dependence Scale in dementia: validity, meaningfulness, and health economic considerations

Authors: Carolyn W. Zhu, Bote Gosse Bruinsma, Yaakov Stern

Published in: Alzheimer's Research & Therapy | Issue 1/2018

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Abstract

Background

The concept of dependence has been proposed as a unified representation of disease severity to quantify and stage disease progression in a manner more informative to patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers.

Methods

This paper provides a review of the Dependence Scale (DS) as a quantitative measure of Alzheimer’s disease severity, its properties as an outcome measure, a metric of disease progression, and a correlate of medical costs.

Results

The literature supports the notion that the DS is related to, but distinct from, key severity measures, including cognition, function, and behavior, and captures the full spectrum of patient needs. It also presents as a useful measure for assessing disease progression.

Conclusions

Results underscore the importance of the DS as a unique endpoint in Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials, providing important information about the impact of therapeutic interventions. The DS also is a useful measure for economic evaluation of novel interventions aimed at delaying progression.
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Metadata
Title
Utility of the Dependence Scale in dementia: validity, meaningfulness, and health economic considerations
Authors
Carolyn W. Zhu
Bote Gosse Bruinsma
Yaakov Stern
Publication date
01-12-2018
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Alzheimer's Research & Therapy / Issue 1/2018
Electronic ISSN: 1758-9193
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13195-018-0414-7

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