Clinical Effectiveness of 10 cm^2 Rivastigmine Patch in Patients With Alzheimer's Disease

Phase 4

Completed

Conditions: Alzheimer's Disease

Interventions: Drug: Rivastigmine 5 and 10 cm^2 patch

Registration Number: NCT00561392

Lead Sponsor: Novartis

Brief Summary: This study evaluated the safety and efficacy of 10 cm\^2 rivastigmine patch in patients with Alzheimer Disease (MMSE 10-26). The primary objective was the percentage of patients who stayed on the target size of 10 cm\^2 for at least 8 weeks. This proportion was then compared to historical data of the percentage of patients who could reach a rivastigmine capsule target dose of 12 mg and stay on it at least 8 weeks.

Detailed Description: Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status: COMPLETED

Sex: All

Target Recruitment: 208

Inclusion Criteria

Males, and females not of child-bearing potential (surgically sterile or at least one year postmenopausal), of at least 50 years of age
Probable Alzheimer's disease according to the NINCDS-ADRDA (National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Diseases and Stroke/Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Association) and DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders) criteria
MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) score of > 10 and < 26
Patients initiating therapy for the first time with a cholinesterase inhibitor (patients prescribed both rivastigmine and memantine are allowed)
Patients who failed to benefit from previous cholinesterase inhibitor treatment

Exclusion Criteria

Patients not treated according to the product monograph for rivastigmine capsules
patients involved in a clinical trial
Current diagnosis of an active skin lesion/disorder that would prevent accurate assessment of the adhesion and potential skin irritation of the patch (e.g., atopic dermatitis, wounded or scratched skin in the area of the patch application)

Other protocol-defined exclusion criteria applied to the study.

Study & Design

Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Study Design: SINGLE_GROUP

Arm && Interventions

Group	Intervention	Description
Rivastigmine 5 and 10 cm^2 patch	Rivastigmine 5 and 10 cm^2 patch	For the 1st 4 weeks of this 24 week study, patients were administered rivastigmine transdermally once daily via a 5 cm\^2 patch. After the Week 4 assessment, patients were administered rivastigmine transdermally once daily via a 10 cm\^2 patch, with adjustments as necessary for safety and tolerability.

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Percentage of Participants Who Were Compliant to the 10 cm^2 Patch	Baseline to Week 24	Dosages of study medication prescribed to and taken by the patient was assessed in a "Drug Administration Record" with start date, end date, dosage and reason for dose adjustment (if applicable). Data was amended by counting the returned medication at the study visits and information by the caregiver.
Percentage of Participants Treated by Rivastigmine 10 cm^2 Patch for at Least 8 Weeks Who Completed the Study	Baseline to Week 24	Dosages of study medication prescribed to and taken by the patient was assessed in a "Drug Administration Record" with start date, end date, dosage and reason for dose adjustment (if applicable). Data was amended by counting the returned medication at the study visits and information by the caregiver.
Percentage of Participants Treated by Rivastigmine 10 cm^2 Patch for at Least 8 Weeks Regardless Whether They Completed the Study	Baseline to Week 24	Dosages of study medication prescribed to and taken by the patient was assessed in a "Drug Administration Record" with start date, end date, dosage and reason for dose adjustment (if applicable). Data was amended by counting the returned medication at the study visits and information by the caregiver.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Mean Change From Baseline in the Trail-making Test Part A Score at Week 24	Baseline to Week 24	The Trail-making test is a neuropsychological test of visual attention and task switching. The task requires a subject to 'connect-the-dots' of 25 consecutive numbers (1,2,3, etc.) on a sheet of paper or computer screen. The goal of the subject is to finish the test as quickly as possible, and the time taken to complete the test is used as the primary performance metric (in seconds). The maximum time allowed is 300 seconds. A negative change score indicates improvement.
Mean Change From Baseline in the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL) Score at Week 24	Baseline to Week 24	The ADCS-ADL scale is composed of 23 items developed to assess a patient's performance of both basic and instrumental activities of daily living such as those necessary for personal care, communicating and interacting with other people, maintaining a household, conducting hobbies and interests, as well as making judgments and decisions. Responses for each item will be obtained from the caregiver through an interview. The range for the total ADCS-ADL score is 0 to 78; a higher score indicates a more self-sufficient individual. A positive change score indicates improvement.
Change From Baseline in the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study-Clinical Global Impression of Change (ADCS-CGIC) at Week 24 Assessed by the Physician	Baseline to Week 24	The ADCS-CGIC is an assessment tool to make a judgment of change in a patient's condition. Change is derived from comparing an assessment performed at baseline versus an assessment at the end of the study. Change is categorized into 1 of 7 categories: No change; minimal, moderate, or marked improvement; or minimal, moderate, or marked decline. Results are reported as number of patients in the indicated change category.
Mean Change From Baseline in the Mini-Zarit Inventory Score of Caregiver Burden at Week 24	Baseline to Week 24	The Mini-Zarit Inventory assesses the burden of a caregiver in caring for a patient. The inventory is composed of 5 questions which are rated according to the following answers: 0 = never, ½ = sometimes, 1 = often. The ratings on the 5 questions are added together resulting in a total score of 0 to 7 with a higher score indicating greater caregiver burden. A negative change score indicates reduced burden.
Mean Change From Baseline in the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) Score at Week 24	Baseline and Week 24	The MMSE is a brief, practical screening test for cognitive dysfunction. The test consists of five sections (orientation, registration, attention-calculation, recall, and language); the total score can range from 0 to 30, with a higher score indicating better function. A positive change score indicates improvement.
Mean Change From Baseline in the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study- Clinical Global Impression of Change (ADCS-CGIC) at Week 24 Assessed by the Caregiver	Baseline t0 Week 24	The ADCS-CGIC is an assessment tool to make a judgment of change in a patient's condition. Change is derived from comparing an assessment performed at baseline versus an assessment at the end of the study. Change is categorized into 1 of 7 categories: No change; minimal, moderate, or marked improvement; or minimal, moderate, or marked decline.