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Diagnosis and disclosure of a memory problem is associated with quality of life in community based older Australians with dementia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 July 2012

Karen E. Mate ,
Constance D. Pond ,
Parker J. Magin ,
Susan M. Goode ,
Patrick McElduff  and
Nigel P. Stocks
Karen E. Mate*
Affiliation:
School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia School of Biomedical Science and Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Constance D. Pond
Affiliation:
School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Parker J. Magin
Affiliation:
School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Susan M. Goode
Affiliation:
School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Patrick McElduff
Affiliation:
Clinical Research Design, IT & Statistical Support Unit, Hunter Medical Research Institute, School of Medicine & Public Health, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
Nigel P. Stocks
Affiliation:
Discipline of General Practice, School of Population Health and Clinical Practice, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
*
Correspondence should be addressed to: Dr. Karen Mate, School of Biomedical Science & Pharmacy, University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW 2308, Australia. Phone: +61 2 49215983; Fax: +61 2 49217903. Email: Karen.Mate@newcastle.edu.au.
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Abstract

Background: Identification of factors associated with quality of life (QoL) in people having dementia will help develop strategies for maintenance and improvement of patient QoL. This study examined the predictors of QoL in a community-dwelling population aged 75 years and over, with or without dementia.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study involving 169 GPs and 2,028 patients. Patients were interviewed to collect information on personal circumstances. Several instruments were administered including the WHOQOL-BREF (quality of life outcome measure), Geriatric Depression Scale, GPAQ (satisfaction with GP care), and the CAMCOG-R (cognitive function). Patients with a CAMCOG-R score < 80 were allocated to the dementia group. GPs provided an independent clinical judgment of cognitive function for each of their participating patients.

Results: The dementia group had significantly lower QoL scores in all four domains of the WHOQOL-BREF (all p ≤ 0.002). The GDS score was negatively correlated with all four domains in the non-dementia group and with physical, psychological, and environmental QoL in the dementia group (all p < 0.001). Satisfaction with GP communication was positively associated with psychological QoL in the dementia group and all domains in the non-dementia group. Participants in the dementia group who had been given a diagnosis of a memory problem had significantly higher physical (2.05, 95% CI 0.36 to 3.74) and environmental (2.18, 95% CI 0.72 to 3.64) QoL.

Conclusions: Satisfaction with GP communication is associated with a higher QoL in their older patients. Diagnosis and disclosure of memory problems is associated with better QoL in people with dementia. Clinicians should not be deterred from discussing a memory diagnosis and plans for the future with patients.

Keywords

WHOQOL-BREFgeneral practitionerdiagnosiscommunication
Type
Research Article
Information
International Psychogeriatrics , Volume 24 , Issue 12 , December 2012 , pp. 1962 - 1971
Copyright
Copyright © International Psychogeriatric Association 2012

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