Integrated multidisciplinary diagnostic approach for dementia care: randomised controlled trial

Background An integrated multidisciplinary approach to dementia is often recommended but has rarely been evaluated. Aims To evaluate the clinical effects of an integrated multidisciplinary diagnostic facility for psychogeriatric patients. Method Patients suspected of having complex psychogeriatric problems were randomly allocated to the intervention (n=137) or to treatment as usual (n=93). They were assessed at baseline, and at 6 months and 12 months follow-up by means of personal interviews with the patient's proxy. The primary outcome was health-related quality of life, assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) of the EuroQd measure, EQ-5D. Results Health-related quality of life had improved at 6 months in the intervention group, whereas that of the control group had decreased. Furthermore, more patients in the intervention group experienced a clinically relevant improvement of 10 points or more on the VAS at both follow-up measurements. Conclusions An integrated multidisciplinary approach improves dementia care. Declaration of interest None. Funding detailed in Acknowledgements.