Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 13, 2026
06:52
Assessment of Dependence in Activities of Daily Living Among Older Patients in an Acute Care Unit
Published on: September 30, 2020
[Suffering assessment in the advanced dementia].
Gema Costa Requena1, M Carmen Espinosa Val, Ramón Cristófol Allue
1Servicio de Psiquiatría, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, CIBERSAM, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, España. gcosta@vhebron.net
Revista Espanola De Geriatria Y Gerontologia
|March 13, 2013
Summary
In advanced dementia, pneumonia and malnutrition are key indicators of patient suffering. Caregiver distress did not correlate with patient suffering, suggesting distinct assessment needs.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Palliative Care
- Dementia Research
Context:
- End-stage dementia presents significant suffering for patients.
- Medical comorbidities are prevalent and contribute to patient distress.
- Understanding patient suffering is crucial for effective palliative care.
Purpose:
- To investigate the relationship between specific symptoms and patient suffering in advanced dementia.
- To explore the correlation between patient suffering and caregiver psychological distress and burden.
- To identify reliable indicators of suffering in end-stage dementia patients.
Summary:
- Pneumonia and malnutrition were significantly associated with higher patient suffering scores (MSSE) in advanced dementia.
- No significant correlation was found between patient suffering and caregiver psychological distress (GHQ-28) or burden (Zarit scale).
- This suggests that patient suffering in advanced dementia may not be directly reflected in caregiver-reported distress or burden.
Impact:
- Highlights specific clinical indicators (pneumonia, malnutrition) for assessing suffering in advanced dementia.
- Suggests that caregiver burden and psychological distress are independent of the patient's suffering level.
- Informs clinical practice by emphasizing the need for direct patient symptom assessment over caregiver-reported burden for suffering evaluation.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Dementia l: Introduction
Dementia is an acquired, progressive syndrome characterized by a decline in multiple cognitive domains severe enough to impair daily functioning and reduce independence. Although memory loss is a central feature, the diagnosis requires additional deficits involving language, executive function, visuospatial skills, judgment, calculation, or abstract reasoning. These cognitive impairments reflect underlying neurodegenerative or vascular processes that gradually disrupt neuronal networks...
01:30Dementia
Dementia is a collective term for cognitive disorders primarily affecting memory, thinking, and reasoning. It is not a specific disease but a syndrome, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common cause, accounting for approximately 60-80% of cases. Other types include vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, and frontotemporal dementia. Dementia affects millions worldwide, particularly older adults, though it is not a normal part of aging.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
The progression of dementia is generally gradual.
01:29Angina III: Clinical Manifestations and Assessment
Angina manifests as chest pain, tightness, or squeezing discomfort typically located behind the breastbone. It can radiate to the neck, jaw, shoulders, and inner aspects of the upper arms, most commonly the left arm. Patients may experience shortness of breath, fatigue, profuse sweating, dizziness, indigestion, heartburn, palpitations, anxiety, and vomiting as accompanying symptoms. This pain often lasts a few minutes and is triggered by physical exertion, emotional stress, heavy meals, or cold...
01:24Nursing Process for Patient and Caregiver Teaching I: Assessment and Diagnosis
The nursing process provides a clinical decision-making framework for patients and families to establish and implement a personalized care plan. Since part of the nurse's duties is to teach patients, the steps of the nursing process are the most effective way to approach instruction. The nursing process and the teaching-learning process are inextricably linked.
It is critical to determine the patient's learning needs during the assessment. Determination of learning needs compounds data from the...
It is critical to determine the patient's learning needs during the assessment. Determination of learning needs compounds data from the...
01:26Peripheral Artery Disease IV: Nursing Management
The nursing management of a patient with peripheral artery disease (PAD) begins with a thorough assessment of the patient’s health history and clinical manifestations.AssessmentHealth History: Evaluate the patient’s history of hypertension, hyperlipidemia, family history of cardiovascular issues, and lifestyle factors such as dietary patterns, smoking, and physical activity.Physical Examination:Assess the affected extremity for decreased or absent peripheral pulses, temperature changes,...
01:26Alzheimer's Disease: Overview
Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a continually advancing neurodegenerative disorder, distinguished by escalating memory loss, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. The disease unfolds in three stages: preclinical, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Its onset is insidious, and the progression gradual, with the cause not well explained by other disorders.
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...
The clinical diagnosis of AD hinges on the presence of memory and other cognitive impairments. Biomarkers, such as changes in Aβ and tau...