Discontinuation Rate of Newly Prescribed Donepezil in Alzheimer’s Disease Patients in Asia
10.3988/jcn.2021.17.3.376
- Author:
Kee Hyung PARK
1
;
YoungSoon YANG
;
Christopher CHEN
;
Yong S. SHIM
;
Jacqueline C. DOMINGUEZ
;
Chan-Nyoung LEE
;
Kyunghun KANG
;
Hee-Jin KIM
;
Seul-Ki JEONG
;
Jee Hyang JEONG
;
Zhen HONG
;
Soo Jin YOON
;
Zhen-Xin ZHANG
;
Eun-Joo KIM
;
Jae-Won JANG
;
Yansheng LI
;
Yun XU
;
Yu-Te LIN
;
Qiumin QU
;
Chaur-Jong HU
;
Chih-Ho CHOU
;
Dongsheng FAN
;
Nagaendran KANDIAH
;
Yuan-Han YANG
;
Chi-ieong LAU
;
Leung-Wing CHU
;
Huali WANG
;
San JUNG
;
Seong Hye CHOI
;
SangYun KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, College of Medicine, Gachon University Gil Hospital, Incheon, Korea
- Publication Type:ORIGINAL ARTICLE
- From:Journal of Clinical Neurology
2021;17(3):376-384
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:and Purpose The rate of donepezil discontinuation and the underlying reasons for discontinuation in Asian patients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) are currently unknown. We aimed to determine the treatment discontinuation rates in AD patients who had newly been prescribed donepezil in routine clinical practice in Asia.
Methods:This 1-year observational study involved 38 institutions in seven Asian countries, and it evaluated 398 participants aged 50–90 years with a diagnosis of probable AD and on newly prescribed donepezil monotherapy. The primary endpoint was the rate of donepezil discontinuation over 1 year. Secondary endpoints included the reason for discontinuation,treatment duration, changes in cognitive function over the 1-year study period, and compliance as assessed using a clinician rating scale (CRS) and visual analog scale (VAS).
Results:Donepezil was discontinued in 83 (20.9%) patients, most commonly due to an adverse event (43.4%). The mean treatment duration was 103.67 days in patients who discontinued. Among patients whose cognitive function was assessed at baseline and 1 year, there were no significant changes in scores on the Mini-Mental State Examination, Montreal Cognitive Assessment, and Trail-Making Test–Black and White scores, whereas the Clinical Dementia Rating score increased significantly (p<0.001). Treatment compliance at 1 year was 96.8% (306/316) on the CRS and 92.6±14.1% (mean±standard deviation) on the VAS.
Conclusions:In patients on newly prescribed donepezil, the primary reason for discontinuation was an adverse event. Cognitive assessments revealed no significant worsening at 1 year, indicating that continuous donepezil treatment contributes to the maintenance of cognitive function.
