It is known that cognitive problems have an impact on personality, mood, behavior and global functioning [ 18], which are domains covered by the EQ-5D, but cognition might also be regarded as a separate dimension.
Changes in behavior were evaluated using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory, caregiver burden using the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview, and global function using the Clinician's Interview-Based Impression of Change-plus Caregiver Input (CIBIC-plus).
However, cognition, behavior, global function, and caregiver burden were determined as core efficacy outcomes prior to the study initiation.
We grouped measurement scales according to the general domain being assessed: cognition, function, behavior, and global assessment of change.
Compared with placebo, the cholinesterase inhibitors donepezil, galantamine, and rivastigmine are able to stabilize or slow decline in cognition, function, behavior, and global change.
We attempted to elaborate on previous review articles by including a broad spectrum of outcome measures (ie, cognition, function, behavior, and global assessment), and emphasizing comparative evidence.
However, adjusted indirect comparisons detected differences among drugs for behavior and global assessment of change.
The only RCT of a ChEI in the treatment of community-residing patients with moderate to severe AD (MMSE scores between 5 17) reported significant though modest benefits of donepezil over placebo on global function, cognition, ADLs, and behavior (Feldman et al 2001).
We chose to focus on four overall outcome domains: cognition, function, behavior, and clinical global assessment of change.
