New International Survey Reveals Multiple Barriers to an Accurate and Timely Alzheimer's Disease Diagnosis
Nearly half of all physicians surveyed (45 percent) 2 from the five participating countries responded that Alzheimer's disease is "often" misdiagnosed, with nearly half (48 percent) indicating the diagnosis "always" or "often" occurs too late to intervene in a meaningful way. 2 Lack of definitive tests, lack of communication between patients and/or caregivers and physicians, and patient denial, were cited as the most common barriers perceived by physicians as impacting their ability to make a formal Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, according to the survey results.2
Additionally, physicians surveyed agreed that there are several advantages of an earlier diagnosis among Alzheimer's disease patients, including initiating treatment as soon as possible in an effort to slow progression of functional and cognitive impairment before they worsened, and allowing more time for patients and caregivers to adjust and prepare for the future. 2 The latter was found to be most important to physicians who took part in the survey in the US (85 percent) and
Barriers to Formal Diagnosis
Lack of definitive tests
The majority of physicians indicated they were "moderately satisfied" (57 percent) with tools available to make a formal Alzheimer's disease diagnosis.2 A lack of definitive tests was cited as the top barrier (65 percent) among physicians surveyed in all countries.2
Lack of communication
Of the physicians surveyed, 75 percent reported that discussions about Alzheimer's disease were initiated by patients and caregivers.2 Further, 44 percent of physicians surveyed reported that patients and/or caregivers initiated the discussion after they suspected "Alzheimer's disease was present for a while."2 Additionally, 40 percent of respondents reported that patients and caregivers did not provide enough information to help them make a formal diagnosis.2 When asked what information would aid them in making a more definitive diagnosis in the absence of clinical evidence, physicians surveyed indicated that reports about the types and durations of symptoms, how symptoms affect daily life, rate of decline and family history would help.2
"The journey to receiving an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis can be a complex process," said
Denial and stigma
Physicians who took part in the survey also reported that communicating an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis to patients can be difficult due to patient denial (65 percent) and social stigma (59 percent).2 The majority of respondents (71 percent) agreed that there was at least a moderate level of stigma associated with Alzheimer's disease, with physicians who took part in the survey in the
"Stigma remains a large area of concern for patients and their loved ones facing an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis, making acceptance of this debilitating disease that much more difficult," said
To address these important needs, Lilly, Alzheimer's
About Alzheimer's Disease
Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia, causes progressive decline in memory and other aspects of cognition. Researchers do not know exactly what causes Alzheimer's disease and there are currently no approved treatments shown to alter the course of the underlying disease process, only treatment options that reduce certain symptoms of the disease.3 As of 2010, ADI estimated that there are currently 35.6 million people with dementia worldwide, with 7.7 million new cases each year (which implies one new case every four seconds).4 The number of people affected is estimated to be over 115 million by 2050.4 Estimates vary, but experts suggest that as many as 5.4 million Americans may have Alzheimer's disease.3
About The International Alzheimer's
The International Alzheimer's
About
Lilly, a leading innovation-driven corporation, is developing a growing portfolio of pharmaceutical products by applying the latest research from its own worldwide laboratories and from collaborations with eminent scientific organizations. Headquartered in
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1 About WAM. Alzheimer's
2 Data on file,
3 Thies W, Bleiler L; Alzheimer's Association. Alzheimer's Association report: 2012 Alzheimer's disease facts and figures. Alzheimers Dement. 2012;8:131-168.
4 Alzheimer's
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