Long term donepezil did not delay institutionalisation or progression to disability in patients with Alzheimer’s disease
Q In patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), does donepezil delay entry to institutional care or progression of disability?
Clinical impact ratings GP/FP/Primary care ★★★★★★☆ IM/Ambulatory care ★★★★★☆☆ Neurology ★★★★★★☆ Geriatrics ★★★★★★☆
METHODS
Design:
randomised controlled trial (AD2000 study).
Allocation:
{concealed*}†.
Blinding:
blinded {patients, healthcare providers, data collectors, and outcome assessors}†.*
Follow up period:
3 years.
Setting:
22 hospitals in the UK.
Patients:
566 patients (59% women, median age 75–76 y) who were referred to memory clinics with a suspected DSM-IV diagnosis of dementia of Alzheimer type, with or without coexisting vascular dementia; had a regular carer; lived in the community; were not taking a cholinesterase inhibitor; and had no contraindications to donepezil.
Intervention:
during a 12 week run in period, patients were allocated to donepezil, 5 mg/day (n = 283), or …
