Risvoll Hilde, Waaseth Marit, Halvorsen Kjell H, Giverhaug Trude, Musial Frauke
NAFKAM, Department of Community Medicine, UiT, The Arctic University of Norway, Tromsø, Norway.
Department of Neurology, NLSH Bodø, Bodø, Norway.
Scand J Prim Health Care. 2025 Sep;43(3):672-683. doi: 10.1080/02813432.2025.2496829. Epub 2025 Apr 25.
Due to their cognitive challenges, individuals with dementia, often rely on their caregivers for support with activities of daily living. Many of them use dietary supplements (DS) but are at risk of overdosing on DS due to forgetfulness. Moreover, DS may cause adverse events or interactions with prescription drugs (PD). This study aimed to explore the role of caregivers in managing DS use and to identify potential risks associated with its administration.
A cross-sectional survey among caregivers of individuals with dementia recruited from dementia organisations in North-Norway.
Out of 163 caregivers invited to participate, 104 (64%) participated. Of those, 59 reported that the individual under their care used DS. Twenty-seven caregivers had assisted in DS administration. Eleven expressed concerns around the DS use, and 17 reported that the individual with dementia had previously made mistakes in its administration. Several caregivers did not know whether the individual with dementia used DS nor had difficulties taking DS correctly. Additionally, only 45 were aware that DS use could potentially be harmful. Regarding securing safe use of DS in this patient group, the respondents ranked general practitioners to be most responsible. Nearly 50% of those who had sought advice from health care professionals regarding DS use, were not satisfied with the response. A small sample size and heterogeneous study group must be taken into account when interpreting the results.
Caregivers were often involved in individuals with dementia's DS use and expressed a willingness to assume responsibility for ensuring safer use. However, several respondents were unaware of the general safety concerns related to DS use. Furthermore, communication with health care professionals regarding DS use, often failed to met the needs of these patients and their caregiver. Collectively, these conditions may impose a risk to individuals with dementia.
由于认知方面的挑战，痴呆症患者在日常生活活动中往往依赖照料者提供支持。他们中的许多人使用膳食补充剂（DS），但由于健忘有过量服用DS的风险。此外，DS可能会导致不良事件或与处方药（PD）发生相互作用。本研究旨在探讨照料者在管理DS使用方面的作用，并确定与DS给药相关的潜在风险。
对从挪威北部痴呆症组织招募的痴呆症患者照料者进行横断面调查。
在邀请参与的163名照料者中，104名（64%）参与了调查。其中，59名报告其照料的个体使用DS。27名照料者协助进行DS给药。11名对照料者使用DS表示担忧，17名报告痴呆症患者以前在DS给药方面出现过错误。一些照料者不知道痴呆症患者是否使用DS，也不知道在正确服用DS方面是否有困难。此外，只有45人意识到使用DS可能有潜在危害。关于确保该患者群体安全使用DS，受访者认为全科医生最有责任。在就DS使用向医疗保健专业人员寻求建议的人中，近50%对答复不满意。在解释结果时必须考虑到样本量小和研究组异质性的因素。
照料者经常参与痴呆症患者的DS使用，并表示愿意承担确保更安全使用的责任。然而，一些受访者并未意识到与DS使用相关的一般安全问题。此外，与医疗保健专业人员就DS使用进行的沟通往往未能满足这些患者及其照料者的需求。总体而言，这些情况可能会给痴呆症患者带来风险。
