P2-257: Oral health of elderly with newly diagnosed Alzheimer's disease

Abstract

tients with mild Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains unclear. The aim of the present study was to assess the correlation between independently obtained statements regarding driving in recently diagnosed patients with mild AD in Denmark and their caregivers. Methods: Baseline data from a cohort of patients with mild AD recruited for a psychosocial intervention study (Danish Alzheimer Intervention Study) in five different regions of Denmark. Information regarding driving status was obtained independently from both patient and caregiver. Correlations were measured by Kappa testing. Results: A total of 321 patients, with a mean age of 76.1 and a mean MMSE score of 24.1 participated in the study. According to caregivers, a total of 131 (40%) of the patients were holding valid driving license, 72 (22%) were still driving, and 99 (30%) had stopped driving within 12 months. In general, there was an excellent correlation between statements from patients with mild AD and their caregivers regarding possession of a valid driving license (r 0.80) and current driving status (r 0.88), and good correlation between statements regarding recent driving cessation (r 0.60). Multiple regression analysis revealed that impaired insight and younger age were significant predictors for disagreements between patients and caregivers regarding having a valid driving license. Conclusions: A significant proportion (22%) of patients with mild AD are still driving, despite the limitations in driving capability caused by the disease. In general, good correlations were found between statements from patients with mild AD and their caregivers regarding driving status. However, age and impaired insight were significant predictors for disagreements for having a valid driving license. Thus, it is important to obtain information from both patient and caregiver regarding driving status.