Effect of Social Isolation Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic on Cognitive Dysfunction of Patients With Alzheimer Disease: Subanalysis of Double-blinded Noninferiority Study of Donepezil Patches and Donepezil Tablets

Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord. 2024 Oct-Dec;38(4):351-357. doi: 10.1097/WAD.0000000000000648. Epub 2024 Nov 13.

Abstract

Background: Previous studies were examined effects of social restriction by COVID-19 pandemic on elderly peoples or compared difference of before/after restrictions on patients with Alzheimer disease-related dementia (ADRD). Here, we assessed the effects of restrictions on the cognitive function of the patients by comparing control group.

Methods: We examined the impact on cognitive function using the Alzheimer Disease Assessment Scale (Japanese version) cognitive subscale (ADAS-JCOG), in patients with mild to moderate ADRD by a post hoc subgroup analysis of double-blinded, noninferiority study of donepezil 27.5 mg patches and donepezil hydrochloride 5 mg tablets (JapicCTI-194582). After demonstrating the noninferiority of both treatments, we used combined data for this analysis.

Results: The analyzed subpopulation of the per-protocol set groups was balanced (n=126 and 135, respectively). Patient demographics were similar between subgroups. The difference of ADAS-JCOG scores [least-squares mean (95%CI)] between the groups was 0.388 (-0.377 to 1.152, not statistically significant).

Conclusion: Social isolation affects cognitive function on ADRD and this knowledge should be considered in future.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Alzheimer Disease* / drug therapy
  • Alzheimer Disease* / psychology
  • COVID-19 / psychology
  • Cognitive Dysfunction* / drug therapy
  • Donepezil* / therapeutic use
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nootropic Agents / administration & dosage
  • Nootropic Agents / therapeutic use
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Social Isolation* / psychology
  • Tablets

Substances

  • Donepezil
  • Nootropic Agents
  • Tablets