Skip to main content

Table 3 Current AD symptoms reported in each group and overall: memory and forgetfulness

From: Assessing what matters most to patients with or at risk for Alzheimer’s and care partners: a qualitative study evaluating symptoms, impacts, and outcomes

AD symptom, n (%)

AD classification

Overall sample (N = 60)

Group 1 (n = 12)

Group 2 (n = 12)

Group 3 (n = 12)

Group 4 (n = 12)

Group 5 (n = 12)

Memory/forgetfulness

12 (100.0)

12 (100.0)

12 (100.0)

12 (100.0)

12 (100.0)

60 (100.0)

 Short-term memory issues

9 (75.0)

10 (83.3)

11 (91.7)

12 (100.0)

12 (100.0)

54 (90.0)

 Losing or misplacing things

10 (83.3)

10 (83.3)

10 (83.3)

10 (83.3)

12 (100.0)

52 (86.7)

 Relying more on lists, reminders, or other people

8 (66.7)

12 (100.0)

8 (66.7)

11 (91.7)

11 (91.7)

50 (83.3)

 Forgetting dates or appointments

3 (25.0)

6 (50.0)

9 (75.0)

11 (91.7)

12 (100.0)

41 (68.3)

 Forgetting why you walked into a room

8 (66.7)

7 (58.3)

7 (58.3)

7 (58.3)

11 (91.7)

40 (66.7)

 Long-term memory issues

4 (33.3)

8 (66.7)

4 (33.3)

8 (66.7)

9 (75.0)

33 (55.0)

 Forgetting to take medications

1 (8.3)

2 (16.7)

5 (41.7)

10 (83.3)

10 (83.3)

28 (46.7)

 Forgetting to turn off running water or appliances

2 (16.7)

4 (33.3)

3 (25.0)

6 (50.0)

8 (66.7)

23 (38.3)

 Forgetting to pay bills on time

2 (16.7)

1 (8.3)

2 (16.7)

7 (58.3)

10 (83.3)

22 (36.7)

 Putting things in the wrong (inappropriate) placea

0 (0.0)

2 (16.7)

3 (25.0)

4 (33.3)

5 (41.7)

14 (23.3)

  1. AD Alzheimer’s disease
  2. Note: Information was collected from patients only from groups 1, 2, and 3; from care partners and patients (when able to self-report) in group 4; and from care partners only in group 5. Data shown are the number and percentage of individuals endorsing a symptom in each group and overall
  3. aThe item “Putting things in the wrong (inappropriate) place” was added after the first round of interviews was conducted, as this was an important item addressed by participants during the first round. The first round included 13 participants (group 1, n = 3; group 2, n = 2; group 3, n = 3; group 4, n = 3; group 5, n = 2)