Discrepancy between Physical Functional Decline and Physical Concerns among Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract

Purpose To examine the extent to which patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) or Alzheimer’s disease (AD) perceive their own physical decline. Methods This study included 4585 outpatients (1036 normal cognition, 1712 aMCI, and 1837 mild AD) who visited a memory clinic. The patients and their families were asked about fear of falling, dizziness or unsteadiness, knee pain, and visual and hearing impairment. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the relationship between physical concerns and AD stage. The proportion of patients who had physical functional decline without physical concerns was also calculated according to Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score. Results The number of physical concerns decreased from the aMCI stage, but actual physical function declined. The proportion of patients who had impaired physical function but no physical concerns increased as MMSE score decreased. Conclusion There was a discrepancy between physical concerns and physical functional decline among AD patients.