J Korean Med Sci.  2008 Feb;23(1):10-17. 10.3346/jkms.2008.23.1.10.

Economic and Clinical Benefits of Galantamine in the Treatment of Mild to Moderate Alzheimer's Disease in a Korean Population: A 52-Week Prospective Study

• Suh GH
• Jung HY
• Lee CU
• Choi S
• Korean Galantamine Study Group

• KMID: 1786838
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2008.23.1.10

Abstract

To evaluate the impact of galantamine treatment on the function, caregiver time, and resource used in the treatment of patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD), costs and outcomes were evaluated during a 52-week prospective, randomized, double-blind, community-controlled trial of galantamine. Patients received either galantamine treatment (n=72) or no treatment (n=66). The analysis was performed from a societal perspective. Galantamine treatment reduced time spent caring for the patients and maintained improved functional capacity, whereas, when no treatments were given, a great increase in caregiver time and progressive functional deteriorations were observed. Saved caregiver time was equivalent to 113 working days per year. After 52 weeks, mean total annual costs per patient were 14,735,000 Korea Won (KRW) (USD 12,315) for patients with galantamine treatment and 25,325,000 KRW (USD 21,166) for patients without treatment. Adjusted annual cost saving of galantamine treatment was 6,428,000 KRW (USD 5,372) when compared to no treatment (p=0.0089). Galantamine had a beneficial effect not only to slow functional decline in patients with mild to moderate AD, but also to save a substantial amount of costs, closely related to reduction in caregiver burden and decrease in caregiver time.

Keyword

RCT; Randomized Controlled Trial; Double Blind Method; Trial; Galantamine; Caregivers; Alzheimer Disease; Function; Benefit; Economy

MeSH Terms

Aged
Alzheimer Disease/*drug therapy
Cholinesterase Inhibitors/*therapeutic use
Cost of Illness
Double-Blind Method
Female
Galantamine/economics/*therapeutic use
Health Care Costs
Humans
Male
Prospective Studies

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Mean change (standard error) over time from baseline in caregiver time spent caring for disabled function.

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  Fig. 2 Mean change (standard error) over time from baseline in activities of daily living (as assessed with the Disability Assessment in Dementia Scale [DAD]).

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