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Systematic review investigating the reporting of comorbidities and medication in randomized controlled trials of people with dementia

Smith, Toby; Maidment, Ian; Hebding, Jennifer; Madzima, Tairo; Cheater, Francine; Cross, Jane; Poland, Fiona; White, Jacqueline; Young, John; Fox, Chris

Authors

Toby Smith

Ian Maidment

Jennifer Hebding

Tairo Madzima

Francine Cheater

Jane Cross

Fiona Poland

John Young

Chris Fox



Abstract

Objectives: dementia is a debilitating condition characterised by global loss of cognitive and intellectual functioning, which reduces social and occupational performance. This population frequently presents with medical co-morbidities such as hypertension, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. The CONSORT statement outlines recommended guidance on reporting of participant characteristics in clinical trials. It is, however, unclear how much these are adhered to in trials assessing people with dementia. This paper assesses the reporting of medical co-morbidities and prescribed medications for people with dementia within randomised controlled trial (RCT) reports. Design: a systematic review of the published literature from the databases AMED, CINAHL, MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Clinical Trial Registry from 1 January 1997 to 9 January 2014 was undertaken in order to identify RCTs detailing baseline medical co-morbidities and prescribed medications . Eligible studies were appraised using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) RCT appraisal tool, and descriptive statistical analyses were calculated to determine point prevalence. Results: nine trials, including 1474 people with dementia, were identified presenting medical co-morbidity data. These indicated neurological disorders ( prevalence 91%), vascular disorders (prevalence 91%), cardiac disorders ( prevalence 74%) and ischaemic cerebrovascular disease ( prevalence 53%) were most frequently seen. Conclusions: published RCTs poorly report medical co-morbidities and medications for people with dementia. Future trials should include the report of these items to allow interpretation of whether the results are generalisable to frailer older populations.

Citation

Smith, T., Maidment, I., Hebding, J., Madzima, T., Cheater, F., Cross, J., Poland, F., White, J., Young, J., & Fox, C. (2014). Systematic review investigating the reporting of comorbidities and medication in randomized controlled trials of people with dementia. Age and ageing, 43(6), 868-872. https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afu100

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date May 2, 2014
Online Publication Date Jul 19, 2014
Publication Date 2014-11
Deposit Date Nov 12, 2021
Journal Age and Ageing
Print ISSN 0002-0729
Publisher Oxford University Press
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 43
Issue 6
Pages 868-872
DOI https://doi.org/10.1093/ageing/afu100
Keywords Cognitive impairment; Dementia; Co-morbidity; Older people; Systematic review
Public URL https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/737479
Related Public URLs https://research.aston.ac.uk/en/publications/systematic-review-investigating-the-reporting-of-comorbidities-an