Gabriella Santangelo1,2, Mattia Siciliano1,3, Luigi Trojano1,4, Cinzia Femiano3, Maria Rosaria Monsurrò3, Gioacchino Tedeschi3, Francesca Trojsi3. 1. a Department of Psychology , University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli , Caserta , Italy. 2. b IDC-Hermitage-Capodimonte , Naples , Italy. 3. c Department of Medical, Surgical, Neurological, Metabolic and Aging Sciences , University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli , Naples , Italy , and. 4. d Salvatore Maugeri Foundation , Scientific Institute of Telese, Telese , Terme , BN , Italy.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Apathy is associated with cognitive decline and worse survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); an accurate evaluation of this aspect is relevant in clinical settings. The aims of this study are to evaluate the prevalence of apathy in a large ALS sample, using published diagnostic criteria, and to explore the psychometric properties, the sensitivity and the specificity of the Dimensional Apathy Scale (DAS) as a screening tool for apathy. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-one patients underwent clinical interview based on diagnostic criteria for apathy, DAS, Apathy Evaluation Scale, and assessment of depression, global cognitive functioning, and non-verbal intelligence. RESULTS: According to diagnostic criteria, apathy occurred in 28.2% of the patients. The DAS showed high consistency, convergent, and discriminant validities. Apathetic and non-apathetic patients significantly differed on total DAS and executive and Behavioral/Cognitive Initiation subscales, indicating good criterion validity. Receiver operating characteristics analysis, considering diagnostic criteria for apathy as gold standard, revealed that a score of 26/27 was an optimal cut-off score for the identification of apathy. CONCLUSIONS: The DAS is a valid screening tool for apathy and its aspects in ALS through limiting the impact of physical disability. Executive and behavioral/cognitive aspects of apathy, rather than emotional aspects, are more frequent in ALS.
OBJECTIVES: Apathy is associated with cognitive decline and worse survival in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS); an accurate evaluation of this aspect is relevant in clinical settings. The aims of this study are to evaluate the prevalence of apathy in a large ALS sample, using published diagnostic criteria, and to explore the psychometric properties, the sensitivity and the specificity of the Dimensional Apathy Scale (DAS) as a screening tool for apathy. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-one patients underwent clinical interview based on diagnostic criteria for apathy, DAS, Apathy Evaluation Scale, and assessment of depression, global cognitive functioning, and non-verbal intelligence. RESULTS: According to diagnostic criteria, apathy occurred in 28.2% of the patients. The DAS showed high consistency, convergent, and discriminant validities. Apathetic and non-apathetic patients significantly differed on total DAS and executive and Behavioral/Cognitive Initiation subscales, indicating good criterion validity. Receiver operating characteristics analysis, considering diagnostic criteria for apathy as gold standard, revealed that a score of 26/27 was an optimal cut-off score for the identification of apathy. CONCLUSIONS: The DAS is a valid screening tool for apathy and its aspects in ALS through limiting the impact of physical disability. Executive and behavioral/cognitive aspects of apathy, rather than emotional aspects, are more frequent in ALS.
Entities:
Keywords:
ALS; Apathy; DAS; amyotrophic lateral sclerosis; dimensional apathy scale; non motor symptoms
Authors: J Caga; S Hsieh; E Highton-Williamson; M C Zoing; E Ramsey; E Devenney; R M Ahmed; M C Kiernan Journal: J Neurol Date: 2017-11-30 Impact factor: 4.849
Authors: Mindaugas Jurgelis; Wei Binh Chong; Kelly J Atkins; Patrick S Cooper; James P Coxon; Trevor T-J Chong Journal: Sci Rep Date: 2021-11-15 Impact factor: 4.379