Factors affecting deficit awareness in persons with dementia

Objective: This study examined factors affecting deficit awareness (DA) and the effects of diagnostic status ( dementia and depression), measurement method and DA dimension on these relationships. Methods: One hundred and twenty-one participants ( 66 persons with dementia and 55 persons without dementia, matched for depression diagnosis) were enrolled, each with a family informant. Participant DA ( clinician and informant rated), cognitive impairment, physical illness, functional disability and caregiver burden were assessed. Results: Factors affecting DA included presence of dementia, presence of depression, cognitive impairment, caregiver burden, and functional disability. The relationship between these factors and DA varied by DA dimension. Conclusions: DA measurement method was an important moderating variable; clinicians may be better at evaluating cognitive DA whereas informants may be better at evaluating functional and emotional/behavioral DA. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.