International Survey Highlights Great Public Desire to Seek Early Diagnosis of Alzheimer’s
By Alzheimer Europe, PRNETuesday, July 19, 2011
PARIS, July 20, 2011 -
- Results from Europe and U.S. Highlight Interest in
Early Diagnosis Despite Wide Fear of and Familiarity With the
Condition
Results of an international survey[1] reveal that over
85% of respondents in the five countries surveyed say that if they
were exhibiting confusion and memory loss, they would want to see a
doctor to determine if the cause of the symptoms was Alzheimer’s
disease. Over 94% would want the same if a family member were
exhibiting the symptoms. The findings were presented today at the
Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2011 (AAIC
2011).
The survey of the U.S. and four European countries - France,
Germany, Spain and Poland - was designed and analysed by Alzheimer
Europe and the Harvard School of Public Health.
In four of the five countries, Alzheimer’s disease was the second
biggest health fear after cancer. The public were asked to choose
which disease they were most afraid of getting from a list of seven
diseases including cancer, heart disease and stroke. Around a
quarter of adults in four of the five countries say they most fear
getting Alzheimer’s disease.
Fear of Alzheimer’s gets worse with age, but even young adults are
concerned, with approximately one in seven 18- to 34-year-olds
reporting Alzheimer’s as the disease they are most afraid of
getting from the list provided.
The survey found a large proportion of the public has had some
experience with Alzheimer’s disease. Majorities in all five
countries say that they know or have known someone with Alzheimer’s
disease, including about seven in ten in France (72%), Germany
(73%), Spain (77%), and in the U.S. (73%), and 54% in Poland. In
addition, about three in ten have personal experience with a family
member with Alzheimer’s disease. Experience with a family member
ranges from 19% in Poland to 42% in the U.S.
This high level of contact with Alzheimer’s disease is likely to
have contributed to the wide recognition of common symptoms such as
confusion and getting lost, which were recognised by at least 86%
and 88%, respectively.
Few people recognised the severity of Alzheimer’s disease with
approximately 40% knowing that it is a fatal condition (33-61%). In
fact, Alzheimer’s is the seventh-leading cause of death in high
income countries and the only cause of death among the top 10 that
cannot be prevented or cured.[2]
Many of the respondents believe there is now an effective medical
or pharmaceutical treatment to slow the progression of Alzheimer’s
disease and make the symptoms less severe (27%-63%). Also, nearly
half believe there is a reliable medical test to determine if a
person suffering from confusion and memory loss is in the early
stages of Alzheimer’s disease (38%-59%).
The survey also found public interest in predictive testing.
Approximately two thirds of respondents said that, they would get a
medical test which would tell them whether they would get
Alzheimer’s disease before they had symptoms.
Heike von Lützau-Hohlbein, Chairperson of Alzheimer Europe, said:
“The results demonstrate the importance of being honest with
patients when diagnosing Alzheimer’s disease. As a former carer
myself, I recognise how valuable it is for people to have
first-of-all a name for all the uncertainties of their condition
and then have the time to get their affairs in order. It will
always be difficult to receive such a diagnosis but doctors need to
empower patients and their loved ones to take the appropriate
steps. The findings also show there is high awareness of
Alzheimer’s disease, which is a testament to the success of the
many awareness campaigns coordinated by Alzheimer societies.”
Dr. Robert Blendon, Professor of Health Policy and Political
Analysis from the Harvard School of Public Health said: “Many of
the public have high expectations about the possibilities of
treatment alternatives and medical testing. It is important for
doctors to talk to patients about what treatment and testing
options are or are not available.”
Florence Lustman, Coordinator of the French Alzheimer Plan, said:
“Alzheimer’s is a fatal condition that affects most people’s lives
at some time. One of the key priorities of the French Alzheimer’s
Plan is early diagnosis, and the survey results support this focus.
The findings demonstrate overwhelming public support for receiving
diagnosis.”
Notes to editors:
The survey examined public perception and
awareness of Alzheimer’s disease and aimed to identify the views of
the general public on the value of diagnosis. The survey of 2,678
people was designed and analysed by the Harvard School of Public
Health and Alzheimer Europe. Fieldwork was conducted via telephone
(landline and cell phone) with nationally representative random
samples of adults age 18 and older in five countries by TNS, an
independent research company based in London. Countries surveyed
were the USA, Germany, France, Spain and Poland. The survey was
supported by a grant to Alzheimer Europe from Bayer AG. Bayer was
not involved in the design of the survey or the analysis of the
findings.
Alzheimer Europe is the umbrella organisation of national
Alzheimer associations and currently has 31 member organisations in
27 European countries. The mission statement of the organisation is
to change perceptions, practice and policy to ensure equal access
of people with dementia to a high level of care services and
treatment options.
Harvard School of Public Health is dedicated to
advancing the public’s health through learning, discovery and
communication. More than 400 faculty members are engaged in
teaching and training the 1,000-plus student body in a broad
spectrum of disciplines crucial to the health and well being of
individuals and populations around the world. Programs and projects
range from the molecular biology of AIDS vaccines to the
epidemiology of cancer; from risk analysis to violence prevention;
from maternal and children’s health to quality of care measurement;
from health care management to international health and human
rights. For more information on the school visit
Alzheimer‘s disease is a progressive
neurodegenerative disease and is the most common form of dementia,
accounting for over 60% of all dementia cases. The condition
affects 4.4 million people in Europe[3] and 5.4 million
people in the USA[4]. Symptoms include memory
deterioration, difficulty with language and the ability to
communicate (cognition), inability to perform previously routine
tasks (functional decline) and personality and mood changes
(behaviour).
1. Blendon RJ. Georges J. et al Key Findings from a Five-Country
Survey of Public Attitudes about Alzheimer’s Disease. Poster
presented at AAIC, July 2011
2. WHO fact sheet. The top ten causes of death. Factsheet
available at:
3. Commission of the European Communities. Communication from
the commission to the European Parliament and the Council on a
European initiative on Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.
Report available at:
4. Alzheimer’s Association, 2011 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and
Figures, Alzheimer’s & Dementia, Volume 7, Issue 2. Report
available at:
For further information, contact: Jean Georges, Executive Director of Alzheimer Europe, Tel: +352-29-79-70
Email: jean.georges at alzheimer-europe.org; Mark Seymour, Ketchum Pleon, Tel: +44(0)207-611-3763, Email: mark.seymour at ketchumpleon.com
Tags: Alzheimer Europe, France, July 20, Paris
