{"id":7473,"date":"2015-03-24T06:51:07","date_gmt":"2015-03-24T06:51:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/report-less-than-half-say-they-were-told-alzheimers-diagnosis\/"},"modified":"2015-03-24T06:51:07","modified_gmt":"2015-03-24T06:51:07","slug":"report-less-than-half-say-they-were-told-alzheimers-diagnosis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/healthmedicinet.com\/news\/report-less-than-half-say-they-were-told-alzheimers-diagnosis\/","title":{"rendered":"Report: Less than half say they were told Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s diagnosis"},"content":{"rendered":"
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The Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Association\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s 2015 Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Disease Facts and Figures report, released today, found that only 45 percent of people with Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s disease or their caregivers say they were told the diagnosis by their doctor. In contrast, more than 90 percent of people with the four most common cancers (breast, colorectal, lung and prostate cancer) say they were told the diagnosis.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153These disturbingly low disclosure rates in Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s disease are reminiscent of rates seen for cancer in the 1950s and 60s, when even mention of the word cancer was taboo,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said Beth Kallmyer, MSW, Vice President of Constituent Services for the Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Association. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153It is of utmost importance to respect people\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s autonomy, empower them to make their own decisions and acknowledge that people with Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s have every right to expect truthful discussions with their physicians. When a diagnosis is disclosed, they can better understand the changes they are experiencing, maximize their quality of life, and often play an active role in planning for the future.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

The 2015 Facts and Figures report also found that people with Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s or their caregivers were more likely to say they were told the diagnosis by their doctor after the disease had become more advanced. According to Kallmyer, this is a problem because learning the diagnosis later in the course of the progressive brain disease may mean the person\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s capacity to participate in decision making about care plans, or legal and financial issues, may be diminished, and their ability to participate in research or fulfill lifelong plans may be limited.<\/p>\n

One of the reasons most commonly cited by health care providers for not disclosing an Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s diagnosis is fear of causing the patient emotional distress. However, according to the new report, \u00e2\u20ac\u0153studies that have explored this issue have found that few patients become depressed or have other long-term emotional problems because of the [Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s] diagnosis.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n

Benefits of Disclosing an Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Diagnosis<\/b><\/p>\n

According to the Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Association, telling the person with Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the truth about his or her diagnosis should be standard practice. Disclosure can be delivered in a sensitive and supportive manner that avoids unnecessary distress.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Based on the principles of medical ethics, there is widespread agreement among health care professionals that people have the right to know and understand their diagnosis, including Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s disease,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d said William Klunk, M.D., Ph.D., Chair of the Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Association Medical and Scientific Advisory Council. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The findings from this report shine a light on the need for more education for medical students and practicing health care providers on how to effectively make and deliver an Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s diagnosis.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n


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Dr. Klunk is a Distinguished Professor of Psychiatry and Neurology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine in Pittsburgh, PA, where he also is Co-Director of the Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Disease Research Center.<\/p>\n

The benefits of promptly and clearly explaining a diagnosis of Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s have been established in several studies. Benefits include better access to quality medical care and support services, and the opportunity for people with Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s to participate in decisions about their care, including providing informed consent for current and future treatment plans. Knowing the diagnosis early enables the person with Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s to get the maximum benefit from available treatments, and may also increase chances of participating in clinical drug trials that help advance research.<\/p>\n

The Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Epidemic and Its Impact<\/b><\/p>\n

The 2015 Facts and Figures report provides an in-depth look at the prevalence, incidence, mortality and economic impact of Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s disease and other dementias \u00e2\u20ac\u201c all of which continue to rise at staggering rates as the American population ages.<\/p>\n

\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s is a triple threat unlike any other disease \u00e2\u20ac\u201c with soaring prevalence, lack of effective treatment and enormous costs. Promising research is ready for the pipeline, but there\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s an urgent need to accelerate federal funding to find treatment options that effectively prevent and treat Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s. Congress must continue its commitment to the fight against Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s by increasing funding for Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s research by $300 million in fiscal year 2016, including increased federal research funding for better Alzheimer\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s diagnostic tools to increase the certainty of diagnosis,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Kallmyer said.<\/p>\n

Prevalence, Incidence and Mortality:<\/b><\/p>\n