© 2000 Evidence-Based Mental Health
Review: rivastigmine may improve cognitive outcomes in Alzheimer's disease
Birks J, Iakovidou V, Tsolaki M. Rivastigmine for Alzheimer's disease. Cochrane Review, latest version 26 May 1999. In: Cochrane Library. Oxford: Update Software.
QUESTION: In patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), how safe and effective is rivastigmine in improving cognitive outcomes?
Studies were identified by searching the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register, the Cochrane Dementia Group register of clinical trials, Medline, EMBASE/Excerpta Medica, PsycLIT, CINAHL, and SIGLE; handsearching geriatric and dementia journals and conference abstracts; contacting pharmaceutical companies; and reviewing references of identified studies.
Studies were selected if they were randomised, concealed, double blind, placebo controlled trials of patients with probable AD and treatment with rivastigmine was given for 
2 weeks.
Data were extracted on methodological quality including concealment, blinding, intention to treat analysis, and patient follow up. Data on outcome measures were sought for individual patients. The outcomes presented here are improvement in cognitive function (4 points improvement on the cognitive subscale of the Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale [ADAS-Cog]), global clinical change (Clinician's Interview Based Impression of Change scale), and acceptability of treatment (drop out from the study), all at 26 weeks of follow up.
7 trials (3370 patients) were
Victoria Hospital Swindon, UK
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