Integrated multidisciplinary diagnostic approach for dementia care: randomised controlled trial

Abstract

Background: An integrated multidisciplinary approach to dementia is often recommended but has rarely been evaluated.

Aims: To evaluate the clinical effects of an integrated multidisciplinary diagnostic facility for psychogeriatric patients.

Method: Patients suspected of having complex psychogeriatric problems were randomly allocated to the intervention (n=137) or to treatment as usual (n=93). They were assessed at baseline, and at 6 months and 12 months follow-up by means of personal interviews with the patient's proxy. The primary outcome was health-related quality of life, assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) of the EuroQd measure, EQ-5D.

Results: Health-related quality of life had improved at 6 months in the intervention group, whereas that of the control group had decreased. Furthermore, more patients in the intervention group experienced a clinically relevant improvement of 10 points or more on the VAS at both follow-up measurements.

Conclusions: An integrated multidisciplinary approach improves dementia care.