Cholinesterase inhibitors for Alzheimer's disease: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials
Perras C, Shukla V K, Lessard C, Skidmore B, Bergman H, Gauthier S
Record ID 32005001192
English, French
Authors' objectives:
The aim of this report was to critically examine existing evidence for the efficacy of the three cholinesterase inhibitor (ChEI) drugs available in Canada for Alzheimer's Disease (AD): donepezil (Aricept), rivastigmine (Exelon) and galantamine (Reminyl), based on functional performance and a global clinical impression of change. Another aim was to investigate harm in individuals with mild to moderate Alzheimer's Disease. ChEI therapy is also evaluated in terms of acceptability, effect on quality of life (QoL) and impact on rates of mortality and institutionalization.
Authors' recommendations:
ChEIs were found to have a modest impact on functional performance and global outcomes. The clinical significance of this improvement is difficult to predict. Patients on galantamine and rivastigmine experienced adverse effects that led to a greater likelihood of treatment discontinuation, although ChEIs did not cause an increase in the number of patients experiencing serious adverse effects or death. Donepezil did not improve quality of life or prevent institutionalization, but whether this is a class effect remains to be determined. The few head-to-head comparisons suggest that ChEIs have comparable efficacy, but methodological limitations prevent the formation of definitive conclusions.
Authors' methods:
Overview
Details
Project Status:
Completed
URL for project:
https://www.ccohta.ca/
Year Published:
2005
URL for published report:
n/a
English language abstract:
An English language summary is available
Publication Type:
Not Assigned
Country:
Canada
MeSH Terms
- Dementia
- Alzheimer Disease
- Cholinesterase Inhibitors
- Donepezil
- Neuroprotective Agents
- Rivastigmine
- Galantamine
Contact
Organisation Name:
Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment
Contact Address:
600-865 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON K1S 5S8 Canada. Tel: +1 613 226 2553, Fax: +1 613 226 5392;
Contact Name:
requests@cadth.ca
Contact Email:
requests@cadth.ca
Copyright:
Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment
This is a bibliographic record of a published health technology assessment from a member of INAHTA or other HTA producer. No evaluation of the quality of this assessment has been made for the HTA database.