Abstract :
The Important Perspectives on Alzheimer’s Care and Treatment (IMPACT) survey is an assessment in
Europe of the attitudes of caregivers, physicians, the general public and payors towards Alzheimer’s disease and
dementia. This was an Internet-based questionnaire study, which sought to determine the opinion and perception
of responders on issues relating to ageing and dementia. There were additional questions for caregivers on the
impact of caregiving on their life. Responses were analysed from 949 members of the general public, 500
physicians (generalists and specialists), 250 caregivers and 50 payors from 5 countries—France, Germany, Italy,
Spain and the United Kingdom. The survey highlighted the difficulty of diagnosing dementia, especially in the
initial stages of the disease. The average time from first noticing symptoms to diagnosis varied from 36 to 63
weeks. Caregivers and the general public felt they had insufficient information about the benefits of treatment
and care, although more than half the general public, caregiver and physician responders agreed that early
treatment could delay the progression of the disease. The majority of respondents recognised the devastating
effects of AD on caregivers and families, and a majority of caregivers, the general public and physicians agreed
that their governments fail to view AD as a health care priority. This study occurs roughly 5 years after a similar
survey, and provides a timely update. Despite some important differences between the methodologies used in
these surveys, diagnosis of dementia is still a key issue, especially amongst generalists, as is the provision of
information and support to caregivers. Despite the prevalence of AD in the ageing population of Europe, the
perception within each of the 5 countries surveyed is that AD is not viewed as a health care priority.
Keywords :
Alzheimer’s Disease , Survey , Caregivers , physicians , Treatment , Early diagnosis , Burden of disease
