[Sudden Discontinuation of Anti-dementia Drugs in Moderate and Severe Alzheimer's Disease in a Residency for Dependent Elderly People: a Longitudinal Descriptive Pilot Study]

Abstract

Purpose: The modalities for anti-dementia drugs' discontinuation are not consensual.

Objective: The objectives of the study were the followings, describe: i) the reasons for discontinuation of anti-dementia drugs of patients treated in a residency for dependent elderly people, ii) security of sudden discontinuation, iii) evolution of troubles.

Methods: Our longitudinal descriptive pilot study aimed at observing consequences of the sudden discontinuation of anti-dementia drugs in a population with a moderate to severe stage of Alzheimer's disease. The study took place in a French residency for dependent elderly people, treated with at least one of the following treatments: rivastigmine, donepezil, galantamine and/or memantine. Based on multidisciplinary decision, as recommended, patient's anti-dementia treatment have been stopped or not. Criteria have been collected for 6 months and compared between the two groups: safety, motivation for discontinuation, score mini-mental state examination (MMSE), psycho-behavior criteria and finally the concomitant prescription of psychotropic drugs.

Results: Thirty-three patients were included: the revaluation of anti-dementia treatment led to 22 discontinuations and 11 continuations. Motivations to stop antidementia treatment were: too advanced dementia (48%), lack of therapeutic benefit (28%) or too much of psychotropic medications (24%). The sudden discontinuation was well tolerated with no withdrawal syndrome observed. The variation of MMSE at 6 months was -1.8 (SD 2.2) in the discontinuation group (n = 14) versus -2.2 (SD 2.0) in the continuation group (n = 6). The psycho-behavior disorders have not been aggravated. A reduction in number of psychotropic drugs in the discontinuation group was observed.

Conclusion: In this pilot study, the revaluation in accordance with the recommendations of the Haute autorité de santé (HAS) led to the discontinuation of two third of anti-dementia drugs. Safety of sudden discontinuation of MSD remains to be studied.