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Alexander CM, Martyr A, Gamble LD, Savage SA, Quinn C, Morris RG, Collins R, Clare L. Does awareness of condition help people with mild-to-moderate dementia to live well? Findings from the IDEAL programme. BMC Geriatr 2021; 21:511. [PMID: 34563135 PMCID: PMC8467163 DOI: 10.1186/s12877-021-02468-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background People living with dementia vary in awareness of their abilities. We explored awareness of the condition and diagnosis in people with mild-to-moderate dementia, and how this relates to quality of life, well-being, life satisfaction, and caregiver stress. Methods This study was a cross-sectional exploratory analysis of data from the IDEAL cohort, which recruited people with dementia living at home and available caregivers from 29 research sites in Great Britain. Our study included 917 people with mild-to-moderate dementia and 755 carers. Low and high awareness groups were derived from self-reported responses to a dementia representation measure. Logistic regression was used to explore predictors of awareness of condition and diagnosis using demographic, cognitive, functional and psychological measures, and the relationship with quality of life, well-being and life satisfaction (‘living well’), and caregiver stress. Results There were 83 people with low awareness of their condition. The remaining 834 people showed some awareness and 103 of these had high awareness of their condition and diagnosis. Psychosocial factors were stronger predictors of awareness than cognitive and functional ability. Those with higher awareness reported lower mood, and lower scores on indices of living well as well as lower optimism, self-efficacy and self-esteem. Low awareness was more likely in those aged 80y and above, and living in more socially deprived areas. No relationship was seen between caregiver stress and awareness. Conclusions Awareness of the condition and diagnosis varies in people with mild-to-moderate dementia and is relevant to the capability to live well. Awareness should be considered in person-centered clinical care. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12877-021-02468-4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Alexander
- REACH: The Centre for Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, South Cloisters, St Luke's Campus, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK.
| | - Anthony Martyr
- REACH: The Centre for Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, South Cloisters, St Luke's Campus, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Laura D Gamble
- Population Health Sciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Sharon A Savage
- School of Psychology, The University of Newcastle, Australia, Newcastle, Australia
| | - Catherine Quinn
- Centre for Applied Dementia Studies, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK
| | - Robin G Morris
- Department of Psychology, King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, London, UK
| | - Rachel Collins
- REACH: The Centre for Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, South Cloisters, St Luke's Campus, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
| | - Linda Clare
- REACH: The Centre for Research in Ageing and Cognitive Health, College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter Medical School, University of Exeter, South Cloisters, St Luke's Campus, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK.,National Institute for Health Research Applied Research Collaboration South-West Peninsula, Exeter, UK
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Azocar I, Livingston G, Huntley J. The Association Between Impaired Awareness and Depression, Anxiety, and Apathy in Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review. Front Psychiatry 2021; 12:633081. [PMID: 33613344 PMCID: PMC7889585 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.633081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives: Impaired awareness of cognitive and functional deficits is a common feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Although a lack of awareness has been suggested to be a protective factor against experiencing affective symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, and apathy which are common in AD, there is conflicting evidence about the links between them. This systematic review examines the evidence for an association between impaired awareness and depressive, anxiety, and apathy symptoms in mild to moderate AD. Method: We searched four databases (OvidMedline, Embase, PsycInfo, and PsycArticles) using terms encompassing awareness, apathy, depression, anxiety, and mild-moderate AD. We included studies that assessed the relationship between awareness and depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, or apathy. We assessed included papers for quality and report results using a narrative approach, prioritizing high quality studies. Results: We identified 1,544 articles, and twenty-seven studies fulfilled inclusion criteria (high-quality = 15; moderate-quality = 12). Most high-quality studies reported that impaired awareness in early-stage AD is cross-sectionally linked with fewer depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms (correlation ranged from -0.3 to -0.7), but with more apathy. Conclusions: High-quality studies suggested that in people with early AD, impaired awareness is related to fewer depressive and anxiety symptoms and to more apathy. Future research should focus on elucidating causality among impaired awareness and these symptoms in AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ignacia Azocar
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Gill Livingston
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Jonathan Huntley
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, United Kingdom
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Bertrand E, Fischer A, Mograbi DC. Response: Commentary: Metacognition and Perspective-Taking in Alzheimer's Disease: A Mini-Review. Front Psychol 2020; 11:453. [PMID: 32265783 PMCID: PMC7105856 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2020.00453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 02/26/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Bertrand
- Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Department of Psychology, Universidade Do Grande Rio (Unigranrio), Duque de Caxias, Brazil
| | - Anna Fischer
- Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel C Mograbi
- Department of Psychology, Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,Department of Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Wilson RS, Barnes LL, Rajan KB, Boyle PA, Sytsma J, Weuve J, Evans DA. Antecedents and consequences of unawareness of memory impairment in dementia. Neuropsychology 2018; 32:931-940. [PMID: 30047756 DOI: 10.1037/neu0000437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the prevalence, antecedents, and consequences of unawareness of memory impairment in dementia. METHOD Persons (n = 1,862) from a geographically defined community without dementia at enrollment subsequently underwent clinical classification (248 with dementia, 611 with mild cognitive impairment, 1,003 with no cognitive impairment), memory testing, and self-appraisal of memory. Memory performance was regressed on self-appraised memory, and the residuals served as an index of memory awareness. After clinical classification, participants completed brief cognitive testing at 3-year intervals for up to 15 years. RESULTS When unawareness was defined as a score at or below thresholds ranging from the 15th to 25th percentiles, it was more common in dementia (67%-83%) and mild cognitive impairment (15%-33%) than in no cognitive impairment (2%-6%; all p < .001). A continuous measure of awareness (M = 0.00, SD = 0.61) was reduced by 0.37-unit in mild cognitive impairment (SE = 0.04, p < .001) and 1.04-unit in dementia (SE = 0.06), p < .001) compared with those without cognitive impairment, and these associations were weaker in Black persons than White persons (estimate for dementia by race = 0.37, SE = 0.12, p = .003; estimate for mild cognitive impairment by race = 0.30, SE = 0.08, p < .001). Higher premorbid neuroticism was associated with better memory awareness in dementia. Higher memory awareness was not related to mortality in mild cognitive impairment or dementia but had a marginal association with slower cognitive decline in mild cognitive impairment. CONCLUSIONS Unawareness of memory impairment is a common manifestation of dementia, particularly in White persons, but is not strongly related to adverse disease outcomes. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).
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Verhülsdonk S, Lange-Asschenfeldt C, Höft B, Schwender H, Supprian T, Hellen F, Kalbe E. Repressive Coping Does Not Contribute to Anosognosia in First-Diagnosis Patients With Alzheimer Disease. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2017; 31:249-55. [PMID: 27819840 DOI: 10.1097/WAD.0000000000000169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Anosognosia is common in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) even in early stages. Although neural correlates and the impact of cognitive dysfunctions have been described, possible psychodynamic processes such as a repressive coping style as described in other illnesses, have not been examined. Our study aimed to examine possible psychological influence factors on illness perception embracing a repressive coping style and cognitive functions in AD patients in the diagnostic process. Fifty-four subjects with mild AD diagnosed in our memory clinic were enrolled. Anosognosia was evaluated using a patient-caregiver discrepancy rating. All patients underwent comprehensive neuropsychological testing. In addition, characteristics of a repressive coping style were assessed. In total, 79.6% of our patients showed a lack of awareness at least to some degree. 33.3% of the patients were classified as repressors. Repressors and nonrepressors did not differ in cognition, or the unawareness score. Multivariate regression analysis showed that repressive coping style did not significantly contribute to anosognosia, but that verbal memory and naming ability had a strong influence. Although our data indicate that a high proportion of patients with mild AD show characteristics of repressive coping, this possible defense mechanism had no influence on the awareness of illness-related deficits measured by caregiver patient discrepancy.
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Abstract
Studies report that people with young onset Alzheimer's disease (YOAD) have higher levels of disease awareness compared to those with late onset AD. We report a case of a man with YOAD who had preserved awareness of disease, depression and risk of suicide associated with the development of the dementia. Cognitive functioning, disease severity, depressive symptoms and awareness of disease were assessed using validated measures. The person with YOAD showed a moderate level of disease severity and high degree of dependence for activities of daily living. There was recognition of memory problems and routine changes with presence of intense pessimism, low self-esteem and suicidal ideation. This case points to the existence of specific issues related to young onset dementia and the clinical importance of identifying and treating patients who might be aware of their condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Alice Tourinho Baptista
- MSc, Center for Alzheimer's disease and Related Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Raquel Luiza Santos
- PhD, Center for Alzheimer's disease and Related Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Nathália Kimura
- MSc, Center for Alzheimer's disease and Related Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
| | - Isabel Barbeito Lacerda
- MSc, Center for Alzheimer's disease and Related Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil
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Lacerda IB, Sousa MFB, Santos RL, Nogueira MML, Dourado MCN. Concepts and objects of awareness in Alzheimer’s disease: an updated systematic review. J bras psiquiatr 2016. [DOI: 10.1590/0047-2085000000110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Objectives To compare and discuss the objects of awareness in Alzheimer’s disease (AD): awareness of cognitive deficits, of functional activities, of social-emotional functioning and behavioral impairment. Methods A search in the PsycINFo, Pilots, PubMed/Medline and ISI electronic databases according to Prisma methodology was performed. We included studies about awareness in people with AD published between 2010 and 2015, with the combination of keywords: “Alzheimer AND awareness of deficits”, “Alzheimer AND anosognosia”, “Alzheimer AND insight”, “dementia AND awareness of deficits”, “dementia AND anosognosia”, “dementia AND insight”. The articles were categorized according to the specific object of awareness. Results Seven hundred and ten records were identified and, after application of the exclusion criteria, 191 studies were retrieved for potential use. After excluding the duplicates, 46 studies were included. Most studies assessed the cognitive domain of awareness, followed by the functional, social-emotional, and behavioral impairment domains. Memory deficits were not sufficient to explain impaired awareness in AD. Longitudinal studies did not find discrepancies between patients and caregivers’ reports, indicating that awareness is not related to cognition. Conflicting findings were observed, including the relation between awareness, mood, severity of disease, and personal characteristics. Conclusions The studies show lack of conceptual consensus and significant methodological differences. The inclusion of samples without differentiation of dementia etiology is associated to symptomatic differences, which affect awareness domains. Awareness in AD is a complex and multidimensional construct. Different objects elicit different levels of awareness.
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Berlingeri M, Ravasio A, Cranna S, Basilico S, Sberna M, Bottini G, Paulesu E. Unrealistic representations of “the self”: A cognitive neuroscience assessment of anosognosia for memory deficit. Conscious Cogn 2015; 37:160-77. [DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2015.08.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2014] [Revised: 06/09/2015] [Accepted: 08/24/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Gilleen J, Greenwood K, David AS. The role of memory in awareness of memory deficits in Alzheimer’s disease, schizophrenia, and brain injury. J Clin Exp Neuropsychol 2013; 36:43-57. [DOI: 10.1080/13803395.2013.863835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Abstract
BACKGROUND Insight in psychosis and schizophrenia is considered a complex biopsychosocial phenomenon. Premorbid personality is regarded by some authors as part of the substrate to many psychiatric phenomena, but it is not clear if this applies to insight. AIM To examine longitudinal relationships between personality traits and insight dimensions in first-episode psychosis. METHODS One hundred consecutive antipsychotic-naïve first-episode nonaffective psychotic patients admitted to hospital were included in the study. Eighty-one patients completed at 1 month a premorbid personality evaluation, plus baseline, and 6-month insight assessments. We used the Assessment and Documentation of Psychopathology inventory for assessing insight dimensions (not feeling ill, lack of insight, and refusal of treatment) and the Personality Assessment Schedule for ascertaining 5 dimensions of premorbid personality (schizoid, passive-dependent, anancastic, sociopathic, and schizotypy). RESULTS At baseline, personality dimensions did not show any association with insight dimensions, with the exception of schizotypy traits. At 6 months, schizoid and sociopathic personality showed a significant association with not feeling ill (r = .30, P ≤ .007; r = .27, P = .01) and lack of insight (r = .36, P = .001; r = .41, P < .001), respectively. When we calculated insight change, schizoid and sociopathic personality had moderate correlation with the lack of insight dimension (r = -.34, P = .002; r = .38, P < .001, respectively). After applying partial correlations for potential confounders and Bonferroni correction, the associations remained significant. Moreover, using a regression model, sociopathic and schizoid personality significantly predicted lack of insight at 6 months and change from baseline to the 6 months assessment. CONCLUSIONS Sociopathic and schizoid personality dimensions were not only significantly associated with lack of insight at 6 months but also predicted change on lack of insight over 6 months. Therefore, exploring premorbid personality traits at the beginning of a psychotic episode may be helpful in identifying patients at high risk for lack of insight during the initial course of the illness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria S. Campos
- Psychiatric Unit of Virgen del Camino Hospital, c/Irunlarrea 4, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Elena Garcia-Jalon
- Psychiatric Unit of Virgen del Camino Hospital, c/Irunlarrea 4, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - James K. Gilleen
- Section of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, UK
| | - Anthony S. David
- Section of Cognitive Neuropsychiatry, Institute of Psychiatry, King’s College London, UK
| | - Victor Peralta MD
- Psychiatric Unit of Virgen del Camino Hospital, c/Irunlarrea 4, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Manuel J. Cuesta
- Psychiatric Unit of Virgen del Camino Hospital, c/Irunlarrea 4, E-31008 Pamplona, Spain,To whom correspondence should be addressed; tel: +34-848-422488, fax: +34-848-422488, e-mail:
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