Publication date: Jan 31, 2025

We previously reported that social restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic led to a decline in cognitive function in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD). Here, we assessed the effects of COVID-19 restrictions on the activities of daily living (ADL) and disease severity in patients by comparing them to a control group. We examined the impact on ADL, evaluated using disability assessment for dementia (DAD), and disease severity, evaluated using the ABC dementia scale, in patients with mild-to-moderate AD. We conducted a post hoc subgroup analysis of a double-blinded, noninferiority study of donepezil 27. 5 mg patches and donepezil hydrochloride 5 mg tablets (JapicCTI-194582). After showing the noninferiority of both treatments, we combined the data from both groups for analysis. The subpopulation of the per-protocol set grouped by completing the double-blinded evaluation before and on/after the mild lockdown was balanced (n=136 and n=120). Patient demographics were similar between the subgroups. The decline in the DAD and ABC dementia scale scores [least-squares mean (SE)] was ameliorated by social restriction [-3. 810 (0. 743) and -1. 871 (0. 697) and -1. 147 (0. 285) and -0. 419 (0. 267), respectively (not significant)]. Normalcy and expectation biases can affect the evaluation of ADL and disease severity by caregivers under high stress and deterioration of mental conditions.

Semantics

Original Article