The Impact of Amyloid PET Disclosure on Quality of Life in Patients With Young Onset Dementia.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION:

The impact of amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) imaging on patient health outcomes for individuals with dementia is unknown. In the present study, we explored the association between diagnostic outcome and clinician's level of certainty with quality of life (QoL) after [18F]flutemetamol PET results were disclosed in young onset dementia patients in a memory clinic cohort.

METHODS:

In 154 patients suspected of dementia, QoL was measured before and after [18F]flutemetamol PET results were disclosed. Multiple regression analyses were conducted with (changed) general and disease-specific QoL measures as dependent factors [QoL-Alzheimer disease (AD) and EQ-5D Dutch tariff] and etiological diagnosis and clinician's certainty as independent factors.

RESULTS:

(Change in) diagnosis of AD was associated to QOL in 2 of the 4 analyses (utility-based QoL β=0.15, P=0.010; disease-specific QoL β=2.0, P=0.037). Diagnostic certainty was associated to QOL in 1 of the 4 analyses (generic QoL β=0.002, P=0.028).

DISCUSSION:

The diverse results in this explorative analysis do not reflect a univocal association between diagnosis, certainty, and QoL. Nevertheless, this result could be interpreted as a possible potential for advanced diagnostic technologies for AD, which requires confirmation in future research.

• Authors: Daniël M van der Doelen, Ron L H Handels, Marissa D Zwan, Sander M J van Kuijk, Wiesje Pelkmans, Femke H Bouwman, Philip Scheltens, Carmen D Dirksen, Frans R J Verhey
• Journal: Alzheimer disease and associated disorders (Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord) 2022 Jan-Mar 01 Vol. 36 Issue 1 Pg. 1-6 ISSN: 1546-4156 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 35200198 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Amyloid

Topics

• Alzheimer Disease (diagnostic imaging)
• Amyloid
• Disclosure
• Humans
• Positron-Emission Tomography (methods)
• Quality of Life