This retrospective study is a more extensive, confirmatory analysis of the cognitive and functional outcomes initially seen in 2 groups of MCI/dementia patients in Springfield, MA and compares specialized dementia care and a comprehensive treatment approach versus usual care delivered in a non-specialist setting. The first group of patients (n= 328) was seen by a dementia specialist, who utilized a standardized assessment and treatment protocol (CNS). This included comprehensive identification and treatment of hypoxia, sleep-disorders, and other cognitively-impairing metabolic conditions as well as maximally- dosed FDA-approved medications for dementia, depression, and PBA. The second group of patients (n= 280) was seen by non-dementia specialists in the community and received usual care which did not include comprehensive assessment or treatment of underlying metabolic derangements or maximal utilization of currently available medications. This study, evaluating date from a larger cohort (n\>800) of specialist-treated cognitively-impaired patients, will further examine the hypothesis that a comprehensive dementia treatment protocol yields cognitive stabilization and/or improvement using already available dementia drugs when compared with usual community care.
From 2008-2013 more than 5,000 patients have been seen by a community-based internist/psychiatrist specializing in treating cognitively impaired adults suffering from MCI or dementia due to Alzheimer's Disease, vascular dementia, combined DAT/VAD, FTD, PD, LBD, as well as dementia due to traumatic brain injury (TBI), alcoholism and autoimmune diseases. Cohort 1 includes patients from this specialist practice who were extensively evaluated with a standardized protocol assessment aimed at identifying all reversible and treatable conditions adversely affecting cognition, and achieving maximum diagnostic accuracy with respect to the underlying dementia pathology. The protocol included physical and mental status examinations, neuroimaging (PET scans and/or MRI's with volumetrics), lab tests, overnight pulse oximetry, in-lab and ambulatory polysomnography, and gold standard neuropsychological testing as well as rapid, in-office cognitive testing. The comprehensive treatment protocol attempted correction of all modifiable and metabolic derangements, and utilized maximally tolerated FDA approved medications and devices. Cohort 2 includes patients who were referred by their primary care clinicians or other non-dementia specialists to a neuropsychology practice for a standardized cognitive evaluation as part of usual care, but were not treated by a dementia specialist. This in-depth retrospective analysis is the first attempt to evaluate the comparative effectiveness of dementia drugs and other treatment interventions in a cognitively impaired patient group whose baseline metabolic abnormalities were identified, treated and maintained optimally throughout the course of care versus a patient group not so intensively assessed or managed. Outcome measures include objective cognitive testing and functional and behavioral assessments correlated with prescribed standard dementia medications, reductions in benzodiazepine, narcotic and antipsychotic use, as well as with baseline and interval measures of oxygenation adequacy, BNP, CRP, IGF-1, homocysteine, methylmalonic acid, iron status, Vitamin D 25-OH, and utilization of oxygen and positive airway pressure treatment.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
900
Cognitive testing - Memory Orientation Screening Test (MOST)
Time frame: At each office visit, for 96 months, until patient left the practice, or until date of death
Resting and ambulatory pulse oximetry in office
Recording of the pulse oximetry data from a standard Nonan pulse oximeter while the patient is at rest and/or ambulation at office visits made by the patient as determined by usual patient care in a naturalistic setting
Time frame: At each office visit, for 96 months, until patient left the practice, or until date of death
Nocturnal pulse oximetry
Recording of SpO2, baseline, nadir, time \<=88%, oxygen desaturation index, heart rate range, nadir heart rate, maximum heart rate using standardized, FDA-device approved, commercially available nocturnal pulse oximeters
Time frame: Ordered and Initial office visit or subsequent patient visits, for 96 months, until the patient left the practice, or until the date of death.
Polysomnography in-lab and ambulatory ( in patient's residence)
Polysomnography date obtained from standardized, commercially available, FDA approved instruments, including: number of nights studied (1-3), apnea-hypoxia index (AHI), nadir heart rate, heart rate range, nadir SpO2, diagnosis reported
Time frame: Initial study ordered at first or subsequent office visit for for 96 months, until the patient left the practice, or until the date of death.
Laboratory values: Chem 20, CBC/diff, BNP, CRP, iron, iron/TIBC, ferritin, homocysteine, methylmalonic acid, Vitamin D 25-OH, RPR/FTA-ABS/TPPA, IGF-1
Time frame: Ordered at initial and subsequent office visits for 96 months, until patient left the practice, or until date of death
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.