Institute for Public Health, National Institutes of Health, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia.
Family Health Development Division, Ministry of Health Malaysia, Putrajaya, Malaysia.
Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2020 Dec;20 Suppl 2:16-20. doi: 10.1111/ggi.14031.
Dementia is the major cause of disability among older persons and leading physical and psychological sequelae for both the person living with dementia (PLwD) and their caregivers. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of dementia in Malaysia and identify the factors influencing quality of life (QoL) of caregivers of PLwD.
A nationwide survey was conducted among individuals aged ≥60 years. Cognition was assessed with the Identification and Intervention for Dementia in Elderly Africans (IDEA) tool. QoL of older caregivers was assessed using the Control, Autonomy, Self-Realization and Pleasure (CASP-19) questionnaire.
The prevalence of dementia among older adults aged ≥60 years in Malaysia was found to be 8.5%. The prevalence was found to be higher among females, those with no formal education and those in rural areas in Malaysia. The mean QoL of family caregivers of PLwD was significantly lower than the caregivers of older adults without dementia were (P < 0.001). Multivariable linear regression analysis on the subpopulation of PLwD showed that inability to carry out activities of daily living among PLwD (P = 0.014) and low to fair social support for the caregivers (P < 0.001) were negatively associated with QoL of caregivers of PLwD.
The high prevalence of dementia among older adults in Malaysia emphasizes the need for affirmative action in Malaysia. The functional capacity of the PLwD and social support determines the QoL of caregivers of PLwD in Malaysia. Thus, the community as a whole needs to provide support to PLwD and their caregivers. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2020; 20: 16-20.
痴呆是老年人残疾的主要原因，也是痴呆患者（PLwD）及其照护者身心后遗症的主要原因。本研究旨在确定马来西亚痴呆的患病率，并确定影响 PLwD 照护者生活质量（QoL）的因素。
对年龄≥60 岁的人群进行了全国性调查。认知能力用 Identification and Intervention for Dementia in Elderly Africans（IDEA）工具评估。使用 Control, Autonomy, Self-Realization and Pleasure（CASP-19）问卷评估老年照护者的 QoL。
在马来西亚≥60 岁的老年人中，痴呆的患病率为 8.5%。女性、未接受正规教育和农村地区的患病率较高。PLwD 家庭照护者的平均 QoL 显著低于无痴呆的老年人照护者（P<0.001）。对 PLwD 亚人群进行多变量线性回归分析显示，PLwD 无法进行日常生活活动（P=0.014）和照护者获得的社会支持低或一般（P<0.001）与 PLwD 照护者的 QoL 呈负相关。
马来西亚老年人痴呆患病率较高，这表明马来西亚需要采取积极行动。PLwD 的功能能力和社会支持决定了马来西亚 PLwD 照护者的 QoL。因此，整个社区都需要为 PLwD 及其照护者提供支持。老年医学与老年病学国际 2020; 20: 16-20.
