EndocrinologyNew Internet Survey Reveals That Almost 8 Out Of 10 UK Doctors Feel Alzheimer's Disease Is Undertreated
The IMPACT (Important Perspectives on Alzheimer"s Care & Treatment) study explored the views of 1800 people - physicians (GPs and specialists),1 Alzheimer"s carers,1 payors1 and the general public1 in France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK
According to a new study presented at the 2009 Alzheimer"s Association International Conference on Alzheimer"s Disease (ICAD 2009), almost 8 out of 10 UK physicians (77 percent)1 consider Alzheimer"s disease to be undertreated in the UK.1 These perceptions reflect behaviours identified in earlier research by the Audit Commission for Local Authorities and the National Health Service which highlighted an uncertainty in diagnosing any form of dementia by GPs in the UK, with 40% of GPs reluctant to refer early for diagnosis.2
According to the study, supported by Eisai and Pfizer Inc, UK doctors feel the medical community hesitates in discussing the earliest stages of Alzheimer"s disease because of their uncertainty.1 Furthermore, 63% of responders from the general population, many of whom could be tomorrow"s carers, felt that most people would have difficulty identifying the early signs of the disease.1
"The National Dementia Strategy sets out a clear direction for dementia management and if adhered to closely, it could help the UK lead the way in Alzheimer"s disease care and management. Today"s survey findings suggest that although we are making progress, we still have a long way to go. Alzheimer"s disease needs to be tackled with the same force as the fight against cancer and we need to act now in order to halt this generational time bomb", said Professor Roy Jones, Clinical Gerontologist and Geriatrician at The Research Institute for the Care of Older People, Bath, and Study Steering Committee Chair.
Alzheimer"s disease, the most common type of dementia, affects nearly half a million people in the UK3 - a figure expected to double within twenty years.4 According to IMPACT, Alzheimer"s disease is the most feared disease after cancer in the general population,1 with physicians1 and carers1 being the only groups surveyed to fear it even more than cancer. In 2007, the annual cost of caring for people with Alzheimer"s disease was ÷£11 billion,5 with dementia costing the UK economy over ÷£17 billion a year,6 more than cancer, stroke and heart disease combined.5 Additionally in 2007, Alzheimer"s disease research received 3 percent of the funds spent on cancer, a disease that affects a similar number of people.5
While the study revealed that UK doctors face a number of barriers to early drug treatment,1 it also showed that according to physicians in the UK, the medical community is more likely to recommend third party support (e.g. patient organisations) after the diagnosis of Alzheimer"s disease than in France, Germany, Italy and Spain.1
Marc Wortmann, Executive Director of Alzheimer"s Disease International and member of the IMPACT Study Steering Committee, said, "It is reassuring to note that the benefits of support groups are clearly recognised by clinicians and hopefully experienced by carers and patients. We strongly support the tendency to refer to patient groups at diagnosis, as it is well known that seeking support improves the quality of life for people living with Alzheimer"s disease and eases the burden for the carer."
About Alzheimer"s disease
Alzheimer"s disease, a progressive and degenerative brain disease,7 is the most common type of dementia7 and affects more than six million Europeans.8 Symptoms of Alzheimer"s disease may include increased forgetfulness, repeating or asking the same question frequently, and problems making decisions.9 These symptoms gradually affect a person"s cognition, behavior and everyday activities, some severe enough to have an impact on their work, social activities and family life.9 While there is no cure for Alzheimer"s disease, there are treatments to help slow the progression of the symptoms of the disease.10
About the IMPACT Study
The IMPACT study was conducted online within the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain and Germany by IPSOS on behalf of Eisai and Pfizer Inc between April 1 and May 1, 2009, among 500 physicians (including general practitioners and specialists), 250 AD carers, 50 payors and 1,000 members of the general population age 18 and over. Statistical differences are noted using a 90% confidence interval. A full methodology is available upon request.
1. Impact Study 2009: Global Alzheimer"s Awareness Study. Data on File Eisai, Pfizer Ltd
2. Audit Commission Update, Forget Me Not 2002: Developing Mental Health Services For Older People In England. Audit Commission February 2002.
3. Alzheimer"s Society. What is Alzheimer"s Disease? 2008 Available here. Accessed June 30, 2009.
4. Alzheimer"s Society. Facts for the Media. Available here. Accessed June 17, 2009.
5. Alzheimer"s Research Trust. Annual Review 2007. February 1, 2007.
6. Alzheimer"s Research Trust. Dementia Statistics. Available here. Accessed June 17, 2009.
7. Alzheimer"s Association. 2008 Alzheimer"s Disease Facts and Figures. Available here. Accessed, June 9, 2009.
8. Alzheimer Europe. Policy watch Europe Unites Against Alzheimer"s disease. Dementia In Europe: The Alzheimer Europe Magazine. December 2008;2: 9.
9. Alzheimer"s Association. 10 Signs of Alzheimer"s.
10. Alzheimer"s Association. Treatments Available at http://alz.org/alzheimers_disease_treatments.asp and here.
Pfizer Inc.