Article Impact Level: HIGH Data Quality: STRONG Summary of Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, 10(4), e12499. https://doi.org/10.1002/trc2.12499 Dr. Thomas Hopkins et al.
Points
- Primary progressive aphasia (PPA) significantly impacts health-related quality of life (HRQoL), with semantic PPA showing more significant impairment than non-semantic PPA.
- Language severity strongly correlates with HRQoL measures, including cognition, speech, hearing, and sensation, highlighting the impact of language decline on overall well-being.
- The study found no significant differences in HRQoL scores between male and female patients with PPA.
- The findings emphasize the importance of incorporating HRQoL assessments into PPA care, which will inform resource allocation and policy and better address patient needs.
- The study advocates for care models that address both physical and psychological aspects of PPA, emphasizing functional and emotional support for improved patient outcomes.
Summary
In a study evaluating health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in primary progressive aphasia (PPA), the Health Utilities Index-2/3 (HUI2/3) was used to assess overall disease impact. One hundred eighteen patients with PPA were included, and HRQoL was measured across different subtypes and by sex. The results indicated moderate to severe impairment in HRQoL, with no significant difference in scores between sexes. Semantic PPA showed more severe impairment compared to non-semantic PPA.
Linear regression analysis revealed that language severity was significantly associated with HUI2/3 summary scores and specific single-attribute measures, such as hearing, sensation, cognition, and speech. Less language impairment was associated with better functional capacity and improved HRQoL, underscoring the relationship between language severity and overall well-being. This suggests that as language abilities decline in PPA, functional capacities related to HRQoL are also negatively affected.
The findings highlight the importance of considering HRQoL in PPA. This study offers insights into the patient perspective on disease impact, which is often overlooked in clinical assessments focused on physical health. By identifying the association between language severity and HRQoL, this study provides critical data for informing policy decisions and resource allocation in PPA care. The results advocate for more significant support for patients with PPA, emphasizing the need for comprehensive care models that address the disease’s physical and psychological aspects.
Link to the article: https://alz-journals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/trc2.12499
References Hopkins, T., Kwon, E., Lapins, A., Gill, N., Roberts, A., & Rogalski, E. (2024). Assessment of disease impact through health‐related quality of life measurement in primary progressive aphasia. Alzheimer’s & Dementia: Translational Research & Clinical Interventions, 10(4), e12499. https://doi.org/10.1002/trc2.12499
