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See why an earlier diagnosis can be beneficial
Between 50% and 75% of people with dementia have no formal diagnosis.2-5 Yet
53% of family members report that they would have preferred an earlier diagnosis to help prepare for the future.6
A confirmed diagnosis is important to both patients and their families.7 It can reduce the anxiety of not knowing whether symptoms are due to Alzheimer’s disease (AD).7 In fact, a survey revealed that more than 90% of people would want to know the cause of their symptoms.1
In 2019, the WHO (World Health Organization) published the "Risk Reduction of
Cognitive Decline and Dementia Guidelines."8
The guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations around lifestyle behaviors and interventions that can delay or prevent mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and dementia.8
Approximately 35% of risk factors can be modified to delay or prevent MCI
and dementia. These include9:
An early, definitive diagnosis helps empower patients and caregivers to understand the cause of their symptoms, learn about the disease evolution, plan for their future, and begin preventative activities to preserve existing cognitive function.9,10
Regarding quality of life for patients and caregivers, AD can be overwhelming in terms of physical, emotional, and economic pressures.10,11 An earlier diagnosis can help families assemble health, social, financial, and legal resources.11
Additionally, earlier diagnosis allows caregivers to better adapt to the changes that characterize dementia, enabling them to feel more competent to provide care, find resources and support group, and experience less mental strain (eg, stress, depression, and anxiety symptoms).9
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References:
1. Alzheimer Europe. Value of Knowing. https://www.alzheimer-europe.org/sites/default/files/alzheimer_europe_survey_2011_the_value_of_knowing.pdf (accessed September 26, 2022).
2. Lopponen M, et al. Age Ageing. 2003;32(6):606-612.
3. Boustani, M, et al. Ann Intern Med. 2003;138(11):927-937.
4. Valcour VG, et al. Arch Intern Med. 2000;160(19):2964-2968.
5. Lang L, et al. BMJ Open. 2017;7:e011146. 1136/bmjopen-2016-011146.
6. Alzheimer Europe. European carers’ report 2018: Carer’s experiences of diagnosis in five European countries. 2018. https://www.alzheimer-europe.org/sites/default/files/2021-11/04886%20Carers%27%20report_updated%20FINAL.pdf (accessed September 26, 2022).
7. Carpenter BD, et al. J Am Geriatr Soc. 2008;56(3):405-412.
8. World Health Organization. Risk reduction of cognitive decline and dementia: WHO guidelines. Published January 1, 2019.
9. Global CEO initiative. Improving detection and diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias: an urgent call to action for healthcare systems worldwide. https://www.usagainstalzheimers.org/sites/default/files/CEO%20Perspectives%20-20Detection%20and%20Diagnosis.pdf (accessed September 26. 2022).
10. Alzheimer’s Association. 2022 Alzheimer’s disease facts and figures. Alzheimers Dement. 2022;18(4): 700-789. https://www.alz.org/media/Documents/alzheimers-facts-and-figures.pdf (accessed September 26, 2022).
11. World Health Organization. Dementia fact sheet. https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia (accessed September 26, 2022).
