New Study Shows Nearly Half of Newly Diagnosed Mild Alzheimer’s Disease Patients Also Suffer From Apathy and Depression
By Eisai And Pfizer, PRNESunday, July 17, 2011
LONDON, July 18, 2011 -
Higher Levels of
Social Assistance and Less Autonomy in This Group of
Patients
Results from a new French study reveal that nearly half of newly
diagnosed patients with mild Alzheimer’s disease also suffer from
apathy and depression. The study also showed that this group of
patients received significantly more social assistance, was less
autonomous and had a lower daily activity functioning score.
“Our study highlights the size of the problem of
apathy and depression in newly diagnosed patients and shows what a
devastating impact this can have,“ says Philippe
Robert,
Centre Mémoire de Ressources et de Recherche (CMRR) de
Nice. “We already know that these symptoms are the most
frequent neuropsychiatric manifestations in
Alzheimer‘s disease but this is the first time that
the frequency has been observed using specific diagnostic criteria.
We also know that people with apathy or depression and mild
cognitive impairment have an increased risk of developing dementia,
thus re-iterating the importance of intervention in helping delay
the onset of Alzheimer‘s disease and the common
neuropsychiatric conditions associated with it.“ He
adds; “Early management and diagnosis of
Alzheimer‘s disease using cognitive and
neuropsychiatry signs might allow patients to remain independent
for longer.“
Apathy and depression are the most common neuropsychiatric
features in Alzheimer’s disease.[1] The risk of
conversion of Alzheimer’s disease is significantly higher for
patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) who show a lack of
interest, a core apathetic symptom.[2]
The epidemiology study set out, using set diagnostic criteria,
to estimate the frequency of depressive disorders and
apathy[3] in newly diagnosed Alzheimer’s disease
patients, and to describe the types of patients with these
disorders. The cross-sectional, national French study involved 734
patients enrolled by 115 physicians.
The observed frequency of apathy and depression diagnosis was
41.6% and 47.9% respectively. Of the subjects involved, 32.4% of
patients had both apathy and depression, 9.4% patients had apathy
alone, 15.4% had depression alone and 42.9% neither had apathy nor
depression.
The comparison study revealed that mild Alzheimer’s disease
patients with apathy received significantly more social assistance
[Personalised Autonomy Allocation (APA)*] of 22.4% and 10.6%
respectively (p<0.0001) than those without apathy.
Similarly, mild Alzheimer’s disease patients with depression
received more social assistance than those without depression of
20.2% and 11.1% respectively (p<0.01).
The full results of the study will be presented at the
Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2011 (AAIC 2011)
in Paris, France.
Notes to Editors
*Personalised Autonomy Allocation
(APA)[4]
The APA is a French national solidarity allowance designed to
allow persons over the age of 60, with stable and regular residence
in France that have lost autonomy, to obtain any aid needed to
accomplish everyday tasks, whether they are living at home or in an
establishment
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References:
1. Benoit M, Andrieu S, Lechowski L,
Gillette-Guyonnet S, Robert PH, Vellas B; REAL-FR group. Apathy and
depression in Alzheimer’s disease are associated with functional
deficit and psychotropic prescription. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry
(2008) 23 (4):409 - 14
2. Robert PH, et al. Importance of
lack of interest in patients with mild cognitive impairment. Am J
Geriatri Psychiatry (2008); 16 (9): 770 - 776
3. Mulin E, et al. Diagnostic criteria
for apathy in clinical practice. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry (2011);
26 (2) : 158 - 165
4. European Commission document on
social security in France (2002)
ec.europa.eu/employment_social/missoc/2002/socsot_france_en.pdf
(last accessed July 2011)
For further information please contact: Benjamyn Tan / Gurjit Hothi, Tonic Life Communications, +44(0)774-7111-217 / +44(0)207-798-9998; Benjamyn.tan at toniclc.com / Aricept at toniclc.com; Eisai Europe Ltd - Cressida Robson: +44(0)7908-314-155; Pfizer Press Office: +44(0)845-3008033
Tags: Eisai and Pfizer, July 18, London, United Kingdom
