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Addressing Diagnostic Gaps in Alzheimer Care

In a significant call to action during the recent Alzheimer Europe Conference, Eli Lilly and leading Alzheimer specialists emphasized the urgent need for improvements in diagnostic processes for Alzheimer's disease. Their insights highlight the systemic challenges and barriers faced by patients, particularly in accessing timely and effective diagnosis.

The State of Alzheimer Diagnoses in Europe

During the conference, experts shared findings from the Adelphi Real World Dementia Disease Specific Programme (Adelphi DSP) - a comprehensive, multinational survey exploring the perspectives of clinicians treating patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's in countries like France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan, and the US. This survey revealed that Alzheimer’s and dementia remain significantly underdiagnosed, limiting patients' access to critical treatment and care options.

As of now, approximately 6.9 million individuals in Europe are coping with Alzheimer’s, a figure expected to nearly double by 2050 due to an aging population.

Key Findings from the Study

While over 70% of healthcare professionals acknowledge the importance of biomarker tests for diagnosing Alzheimer’s, less than 20% of patients actually receive these evaluations. The disparities revealed by this data underscore a dire need for systemic interventions to bring diagnostic practices in line with clinical advancements in treatment options.

Professor Lutz Frölich, a leading figure in geriatric psychiatry, highlighted that current healthcare decisions will shape the future care of Alzheimer patients in Europe. He pointed out that while scientific advancements provide viable pathways to improve early-stage Alzheimer treatment, these innovations can only be realized through streamlined diagnostic processes that ensure timely access to care for affected individuals.

Barriers to Diagnosis

Several critical barriers to timely Alzheimer diagnoses have been identified, stemming from both patient behavior and systemic healthcare issues:

1. Limited Access to Biomarker Testing: Despite clinical professionals recognizing the vital role of biomarker tests—capable of detecting abnormal brain changes—these tests are still underutilized in clinical practice. As the study established, biomarker testing was only conducted in 15.2% of the patients surveyed.

2. Delays in Referrals to Specialists: The transfer from general practitioners to specialists results in diagnostic delays, extending the average diagnosis time to five months. Countries such as Spain and France report some of the longest wait times, with patients waiting up to six months for an Alzheimer diagnosis.

3. Stigma and Lack of Awareness: Many patients hesitate to seek help due to stigma associated with Alzheimer’s. A striking 61% of professionals attributed delayed help-seeking to societal stigma, while 43% noted a misunderstanding among patients regarding the differences between normal aging and Alzheimer-related cognitive decline. Symptoms that typically prompt diagnosis, like short-term memory loss and difficulties with attention, often go unrecognized until the disease has progressed.

Jean Georges, Executive Director of Alzheimer Europe, expressed alarm at the troubling picture painted by these findings. He emphasized the need for immediate changes to ensure individuals receive timely diagnoses and support, stating that many caregivers report long delays in securing a diagnosis for their loved ones—often averaging around 2.1 years from the onset of initial symptoms.

Conclusion: The Path Forward

New treatments targeting the underlying pathology of Alzheimer’s disease show promise, potentially slowing disease progression and delaying the need for extensive care. However, early detection is crucial, as roughly one-third of individuals with early symptoms progress to advanced stages within a single year.

Dr. Stéphane Epelbaum, Associate Vice President at Eli Lilly, stated that accurate and timely diagnosis is fundamental to facilitate access to emerging therapies for Alzheimer patients. Over the past 35 years, Lilly has pioneered research into Alzheimer’s disease and remains committed to enhancing the healthcare infrastructure necessary for better patient outcomes. Collaboration with partners to build a robust diagnostic system will ultimately reshuffle the landscape of Alzheimer care, allowing patients to live better lives on their own terms.

For further reading, or to contribute to the conversation, visit Lilly's official website.