The 2008–2012 French Alzheimer Plan: Description of the National Alzheimer Information System

A new national survey of centers for cognitive disorders and dementias in Italy

INTRODUCTION

A new national survey has been carried out by the Italian Centers for Cognitive Disorders and Dementias (CCDDs). The aim of this new national survey is to provide a comprehensive description of the characteristics, organizational aspects of the CCDDs, and experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

A list of all national CCDDs was requested from the delegates of each Italian region. The online questionnaire is divided in two main sections: a profile section, containing information on location and accessibility, and a data collection form covering organization, services, treatments, activities, and any service interruptions caused by the COVID-19 outbreak.

RESULTS

In total, 511 out of 534 (96%) facilities completed the profile section, while 450 out of 534 (84%) CCDDs also completed the data collection form. Almost half of the CCDDs (55.1%) operated for 3 or fewer days a week. About one-third of the facilities had at least two professional figures among neurologists, geriatricians and psychiatrists. In 2020, only a third of facilities were open all the time, but in 2021, two-thirds of the facilities were open.

CONCLUSION

This paper provides an update on the current status of CCDDs in Italy, which still shows considerable heterogeneity. The survey revealed a modest improvement in the functioning of CCDDs, although substantial efforts are still required to ensure the diagnosis and care of patients with dementia.

Comparative Analysis on the Policy Approaches in the National Dementia Plans of G7 Countries and Korea and Their Implementation

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization (WHO) proposed a global action plan for dementia and aimed to have 75% of their member states formulating National Dementia Plans (NDPs) by 2025. The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) proposed the ten key objectives of dementia policy in 2015. Among previous studies on NDPs, few studies have investigated measures for proper implementation of NDPs. This study aimed to compare the implementation basis and specific action plans of NDPs between the G7 countries and South Korea.

METHODS

We investigated the measures for proper implementation of the NDPs of G7 countries and South Korea. To compare the specific policy approaches, the seven action areas of the WHO action plan and the ten key objectives of dementia policy proposed by the OECD were integrated into 11 targets (prevention, diagnosis, awareness, caregiver support, appropriate environments, long-term care, health service, end-of-life care, care coordination, research and technology, information systems).

RESULTS

Although most NDPs included specific action plans of the 11 targets, caregiver support, safe environments, healthcare services, and end-of-life care were lacking in some NDPs. For implementation, some countries reinforced the policy priority of their NDPs by timely updates, evaluation, legislations, or head-of-state leadership. However, only three countries had a legislative basis, and three countries included outcome measures in their latest NDP.

CONCLUSION

Effective measures for feasible implementation are needed. The WHO should promote not only the establishment of NDPs, but also their proper implementation.

Therapeutic Role of Additional Mirror Therapy on the Recovery of Upper Extremity Motor Function after Stroke: A Single-Blind, Randomized Controlled Trial

Background

Rehabilitation of upper extremity hemiplegia after stroke remains a great clinical challenge, with only 20% of patients achieving a basic return to normal hand function. How to promote the recovery of motor function at an early stage is crucial to the life of the patient.

Objectives

To invest the effects of additional mirror therapy in improving upper limb motor function and activities of daily living in acute and subacute stroke patients, and further explore the effects of other factors on the efficacy of MT.

Methods

Participants who presented with unilateral upper extremity paralysis due to a first ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke were included in the study. They were randomly allocated to the experimental or control group. Patients in the control group received occupational therapy for 30 minutes each session, six times a week, for three weeks, while patients in the experimental group received 30 minutes of additional mirror therapy based on occupational therapy. The primary outcome measures were Fugl-Meyer Assessment-upper extremity (FMA-UE), Action Research Arm Test (ARAT), and Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) which were evaluated by two independent occupational therapists before treatment and after 3-week treatment. A paired t-test was used to compare the values between pretreatment and posttreatment within an individual group. Two-sample t-test was utilized to compare the changes (baseline to postintervention) between the two groups.

Results

A total of 52 stroke patients with unilateral upper extremity motor dysfunction who were able to actively cooperate with the training were included in this study. At baseline, no significant differences were found between groups regarding demographic and clinical characteristics (P > 0.05 for all). Upper limb motor function and ability to perform activities of daily living of the patients were statistically improved in both groups towards the third week (P < 0.05). In addition, statistical analyses showed more significant improvements in the score changes of FMA-UE and IADL in the experimental group compared to the control group after treatment (P < 0.05), but no significant difference was observed in the ARAT score changes between the two groups (P > 0.05). The subgroup analysis showed that no significant heterogeneity was observed in age, stroke type, lesion side, and clinical stage (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

In conclusion, some positive changes in aspects of upper limb motor function and the ability to perform instrumental activities of daily living compared with routine occupational therapy were observed in additional mirror therapy. Therefore, the application of additional mirror therapy training should be reconsidered to improve upper extremity motor in stroke patients.

The course of primary progressive aphasia diagnosis: a cross-sectional study

Background

The primary progressive aphasia (PPA) diagnosis trajectory is debated, as several changes in diagnosis occur during PPA course, due to phenotype evolution from isolated language alterations to global cognitive impairment.

The goal of the present study, based on a French cohort, was to describe the demographics and the evolution of subjects with (PPA) in comparison with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) on a period of 7 years.

Methods

We conducted a repeated cross-sectional study. The study population comprised individuals with PPA and AD diagnosis (N=167,191) from 2010 to 2016 in the French National data Bank (BNA). Demographic variables, MMSE scores, diagnosis status at each visit and prescribed treatments were considered.

Results

From 2010 to 2016, 5186 patients were initially diagnosed with PPA, 162,005 with AD. Compared to AD subjects, significant differences were found concerning age (younger at first diagnosis for PPA), gender (more balanced in PPA), education level (higher in PPA) and MMSE score (higher of 1 point in PPA).

Percentage of pending diagnosis, delay between first consultation and first diagnosis and the number of different diagnoses before the diagnosis of interest were significantly higher in PPA group compared to AD group. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments were significatively more recommended following PPA than AD diagnosis.

Conclusion

This study improves the knowledge of PPA epidemiology and has the potential to help adopting appropriate public health service policies. It supports the hypothesis that PPA is diagnosed later than AD. The PPA diagnosis increases the prescription of non-pharmacological treatments, especially speech and language therapy (SLT) that is the main treatment available and most effective when at the initial stage.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT03687112

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13195-022-01007-6.

Prediction of Autonomy Loss in Alzheimer’s Disease

The evolution of functional autonomy loss leads to institutionalization of people affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD), to an alteration of their quality of life and that of their caregivers. To predict loss of functional autonomy could optimize prevention strategies, aids and cost of care. The aim of this study was to develop and to cross-validate a model to predict loss of functional autonomy as assessed by Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) score. Outpatients with probable AD and with 2 or more visits to the Clinical and Research Memory Centre of the University Hospital were included. Four Tree-Augmented Naïve bayesian networks (6, 12, 18 and 24 months of follow-up) were built. Variables included in the model were demographic data, IADL score, MMSE score, comorbidities, drug prescription (psychotropics and AD-specific drugs). A 10-fold cross-validation was conducted to evaluate robustness of models. The study initially included 485 patients in the prospective cohort. The best performance after 10-fold cross-validation was obtained with the model able to predict loss of functional autonomy at 18 months (area under the curve of the receiving operator characteristic curve = 0.741, 27% of patients misclassified, positive predictive value = 77% and negative predictive value = 73%). The 13 variables used explain 41.6% of the evolution of functional autonomy at 18 months. A high-performing predictive model of AD evolution of functional autonomy was obtained. An external validation is needed to use the model in clinical routine so as to optimize the patient care.

Development and Validation of a Model to Identify Alzheimer's Disease and Related Syndromes in Administrative Data

BACKGROUND

Administrative data are used in the field of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Syndromes (ADRS), however their performance to identify ADRS is unknown.

OBJECTIVE

i) To develop and validate a model to identify ADRS prevalent cases in French administrative data (SNDS), ii) to identify factors associated with false negatives.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort of subjects ≥ 65 years, living in South-Western France, who attended a memory clinic between April and December 2013. Gold standard for ADRS diagnosis was the memory clinic specialized diagnosis. Memory clinics' data were matched to administrative data (drug reimbursements, diagnoses during hospitalizations, registration with costly chronic conditions). Prediction models were developed for 1-year and 3-year periods of administrative data using multivariable logistic regression models. Overall model performance, discrimination, and calibration were estimated and corrected for optimism by resampling. Youden index was used to define ADRS positivity and to estimate sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive and negative probabilities. Factors associated with false negatives were identified using multivariable logistic regressions.

RESULTS

3360 subjects were studied, 52% diagnosed with ADRS by memory clinics. Prediction model based on age, all-cause hospitalization, registration with ADRS as a chronic condition, number of anti-dementia drugs, mention of ADRS during hospitalizations had good discriminative performance (c-statistic: 0.814, sensitivity: 76.0%, specificity: 74.2% for 2013 data). 419 false negatives (24.0%) were younger, had more often ADRS types other than Alzheimer's disease, moderate forms of ADRS, recent diagnosis, and suffered from other comorbidities than true positives.

CONCLUSION

Administrative data presented acceptable performance for detecting ADRS. External validation studies should be encouraged.

Brain connectivity and metacognition in persons with subjective cognitive decline (COSCODE): rationale and study design

Background

Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) is the subjective perception of a decline in memory and/or other cognitive functions in the absence of objective evidence. Some SCD individuals however may suffer from very early stages of neurodegenerative diseases (such as Alzheimer’s disease, AD), minor psychiatric conditions, neurological, and/or somatic comorbidities. Even if a theoretical framework has been established, the etiology of SCD remains far from elucidated. Clinical observations recently lead to the hypothesis that individuals with incipient AD may have overestimated metacognitive judgements of their own cognitive performance, while those with psychiatric disorders typically present underestimated metacognitive judgements. Moreover, brain connectivity changes are known correlates of AD and psychiatric conditions and might be used as biomarkers to discriminate SCD individuals of different etiologies. The aim of the COSCODE study is to identify metacognition, connectivity, behavioral, and biomarker profiles associated with different etiologies of SCD. Here we present its rationale and study design.

Methods

COSCODE is an observational, longitudinal (4 years), prospective clinical cohort study involving 120 SCD, and 80 control study participants (40 individuals with no cognitive impairment, and 40 living with mild cognitive impairment - MCI, or dementia due to AD), all of which will undergo diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) as well as behavioral and biomarker assessments at baseline and after 1 and 2 years. Both hypothesis-driven and data-driven cluster analysis approaches will be used to identify SCD sub-types based on metacognition, connectivity, behavioral, and biomarker features.

Conclusion

COSCODE will allow defining and interpreting the constellation of signs and symptoms associated with different etiologies of SCD, paving the way to the development of cost-effective risk assessment and prevention protocols.

Cohort profile: Dementia in the Registry of Senior Australians

PURPOSE

Clinical quality registries (CQRs) are being established in many countries to monitor, benchmark, and report on the quality of dementia care over time. Case ascertainment can be challenging given that diagnosis occurs in a variety of settings. The Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA) includes a large cohort of people with dementia from all Australian states and territories identified using routinely collected aged care assessment data. In ROSA, assessment data are linked to information about aged and health service use, medicine dispensing, hospitalisations and the National Death Index. The ROSA dementia cohort was established to capture people for the Australian dementia CQR currently in development who may not be identified elsewhere.

PARTICIPANTS

There were 373 695 people with dementia identified in aged care assessments from 2008 to 2016. Cross-sectional analysis from the time of cohort entry (e.g. when first identified with dementia on an aged care assessment) indicates that individuals were 84.1 years old on average, and 63.1% were female. More than 44% were first identified at entry to permanent residential aged care. The cohort recorded more severe cognitive impairment at entry than other international dementia registries.

FINDINGS TO DATE

The cohort has so far been used to demonstrate a declining prevalence of dementia in individuals entering the aged care sector, examine trends in psychotropic medicine prescribing, and to examine the impact of dementia on aged care service use and outcomes.

FUTURE PLANS

The ROSA dementia cohort will be updated periodically and is a powerful resource both on its own and as a contributor to the Australian dementia CQR. Integration of the ROSA dementia cohort with the dementia CQR will ensure that people with dementia using aged care services can benefit from the ongoing monitoring and benchmarking of care that a registry can provide.

Proposition of a corrected measure of the Lawton instrumental activities of daily living score

Background

We aimed to propose a correction of the Lawton instrumental activity of daily living (IADL) score to take into account the possibility to have never done some activities, and measured its agreement and reliability with the usual IADL score.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in outpatients attending French memory clinics between 2014 and 2017. Lawton IADL, cognitive performance, diagnosis, neuropsychiatric symptoms, and sociodemographics characteristics were collected. A corrected IADL was calculated and its agreement with the usual IADL was assessed.

Results

The study included of 2391 patients (79.9 years old, 61.7% female). Based on the usual IADL, 36.9% of patients had never carried out at least one of the activities. This proportion reached 68.8% for men and 17.7% for women. Women had a mean IADL higher than men: 4.72 vs 3.49, this difference decreased when considering the corrected IADL: 4.82 vs 4.26 respectively. Based on Bland-Altman method, 93.5% of observations lied within the limits agreement. The ICC between the 2 scores was 0.98. The relationships between patients’ characteristics and the IADL scores were similar, regardless the usual or corrected version.

Conclusions

This corrected IADL score had an excellent degree of agreement with the usual version based the ICC. This simple correction could benefit both for the clinical practice by providing a more accurate description of the real clinical state of the patients allowing to manage them more precisely, and for research involving the evaluation of the functional abilities of patients.

A National Survey of Centers for Cognitive Disorders and Dementias in Italy

BACKGROUND

Italy has one of the oldest populations in the World and more than one million dementia cases can be estimated at the national level.

OBJECTIVE

The objectives of this national survey include: 1) to report the administrative features and the professional competencies of Centers for Cognitive Disorders and Dementias (CCDDs); 2) to document possible discrepancies by geographic macro-area; and 3) to identify the features of CCDDs that are associated with a better quality in the provision of care.

METHODS

A survey of Italian CCDDs was conducted between February 2014 and December 2015. A list of CCDDs was obtained through direct interactions with designed delegates from each Italian region. A questionnaire was defined on five sections concerning: 1) location of the CCDD; 2) access to the CCDD; 3) organization of the CCDD; 4) services and treatments provided; and 5) quantitative data on the activities of the CCDD.

RESULTS

Overall, 577 out of the 597 eligible CCDDs returned the completed survey questionnaire (response rate: 96.6%): 260 (45.1%) from Northern Italy, 103 (17.8%) from Central Italy, and 214 (37.1%) from Southern-Islands Italy. More than a third of CCDDs were open only once or twice weekly. A median of 450 (IQR: 200-800) patients regularly attended these services. Most patients (70%) were affected by dementia or mild cognitive impairment (19%).

CONCLUSION

We have provided a snapshot of the organization and activities of CCDDs in Italy and documented existing inequalities in the provision of care.

Comparison of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living assessment by face-to-face or telephone interviews: a randomized, crossover study

Background

The functional autonomy assessment is essential to manage patients with a neurodegenerative disease, but its evaluation is not always possible during a consultation. To optimize ambulatory autonomy assessment, we compared the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) questionnaire collected by telephone and face-to-face interviews.

Methods

A randomized, crossover study was carried out among patients attending a memory clinic (MC). The IADL questionnaire was collected for patients during telephone and face-to-face interviews between nurses and patients’ caregivers. The agreement between the two methods was measured using the proportion of participants giving the same response, Cohen’s kappa, intraclass correlation (ICC) coefficient, and Bland and Altman method. The associations between patients’ characteristics, events occurring between the two assessments, and agreement were assessed.

Results

Among the 292 patients (means ± SD age 81.5 ± 7, MMSE 19.6 ± 6, 39.7% with major neurocognitive disorders) analyzed, the proportion of agreement between the two modes was 89.4% for the total IADL score. Weighted kappa coefficient was 0.66 and ICC score was 0.91 for total IADL score. The mean difference between the IADL score by telephone or face-to-face was 0.32. Overall, 96.9% of measures lay within the 95% limits of agreement. The occurrence of fall was less likely associated with the probability to lie within the 95% limits of agreement (OR = 0.07 [0.02–0.27]).

Conclusion

The administration of IADL by telephone with the caregiver appears to be an acceptable method of assessment for MC patients compared to face-to-face interview. The events such as falls which could occur in a time close to the evaluation should be reported.

Study registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02654574. Retrospectively registered: 13 January 2016

How many patients are eligible for disease-modifying treatment in Alzheimer's disease? A French national observational study over 5 years

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to study the epidemiology of the prodromal and mild stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients who are eligible for clinical trials with disease-modifying therapies.

SETTINGS

We analysed two large complementary databases to study the incidence and characteristics of this population on a nationwide scope in France from 2014 to 2018. The National Alzheimer Database contains data from 357 memory centres and 90 private neurologists. Data from 2014 to 2018 have been analysed.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients, 50-85 years old, diagnosed with AD who had an Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) score of ≥20 were included. We excluded patients with mixed and non-AD neurocognitive disorders.

PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURE

Descriptive statistics of the population of interest was the primary measure.

RESULTS

In the National Alzheimer Database, 550 198 patients were assessed. Among them, 72 174 (13.1%) were diagnosed with AD and had an MMSE ≥20. Using corrections for specificity of clinical diagnosis of AD, we estimated that about 50 000 (9.1%) had a prodromal or mild AD. In the combined electronic clinical records database of 11 French expert memory centres, a diagnosis of prodromal or mild AD, certified by the use of cerebrospinal fluid AD biomarkers, could be established in 195 (1.3%) out of 14 596 patients.

CONCLUSIONS

AD was not frequently diagnosed at a prodromal or mild dementia stage in France in 2014 to 2018. Diagnosis rarely relied on a pathophysiological marker even in expert memory centres. National databases will be valuable to monitor early stage AD diagnosis efficacy in memory centres when a disease-modifying treatment becomes available.

Alzheimer's disease: Estimating its prevalence rate in a French geographical unit using the National Alzheimer Data Bank and national health insurance information systems

Background

Reliable epidemiological data on Alzheimer's disease are scarce. However, these are necessary to adapt healthcare policy in terms of prevention, care and social needs related to this condition. To estimate the prevalence rate in the Alpes-Maritimes on the French Riviera, with a population of one million, we present a capture-recapture procedure applied to cases of Alzheimer’s disease, based on two epidemiological surveillance systems.

Methods

To estimate the total number of patients affected by Alzheimer's disease, a capture-recapture study included a cohort of patients with Alzheimer's disease or receiving medications only eligible for use for this condition, recorded by a specific health insurance information system (Health Insurance Cohort, HIC), and those registered in the French National Alzheimer’s Data Bank (“Banque Nationale Alzheimer”, BNA) in 2010 and 2011. We applied Bayesian estimation of the M_t ecological model, taking into account age and gender as covariates, i.e. factors of inhomogeneous catchability.

Results

Overall, 5,562 patients with Alzheimer's disease were recorded, of whom only 856 were common to both information systems. Mean age and F/M sex ratio differed between BNA and HIC surveillance systems, 81 vs 84 years and 2.7 vs 3.2, respectively. A Bayesian estimation, with age and gender as covariates, yields an estimate of 15,060 cases of Alzheimer's disease [95%HPDI: 14,490–15,630] in the Alpes-Maritimes. The completeness of the HIC and BNA databases were respectively of 25.4% and 17.2%. The estimated prevalence rate among the population over 65 years old was 6.3% in 2010–2011.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that it is possible to determine the number of subjects affected by Alzheimer's disease in a geographical unit, using available data from two existing surveillance systems in France, i.e. 15,060 cases in the Alpes-Maritimes. This is the first stage of a population-based approach in view of adapting available resources to the population’s needs.

Sex ratio in dementia with Lewy bodies balanced between Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease dementia: a cross-sectional study

Background

Gender distribution varies across neurodegenerative disorders, with, traditionally, a higher female frequency reported in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and a higher male frequency in Parkinson’s disease (PD). Conflicting results on gender distribution are reported concerning dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), usually considered as an intermediate disease between AD and PD. The aim of the present study was to investigate gender differences in DLB in French specialized memory settings using data from the French national database spanning from 2010 to 2015 and to compare sex ratio in DLB with that in AD, Parkinson’s disease dementia (PDD), and PD. Our hypothesis was that there is a balanced sex ratio in DLB, different from that found in AD and PD.

Methods

We conducted a repeated cross-sectional study. The study population comprised individuals with a DLB, AD, PDD, or PD diagnosis according to the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, in the French National Alzheimer Database between 2010 and 2015. Sex ratio and demographic data were compared using multinomial logistic regression and a Bayesian statistical model.

Results

From 2010 to 2015 in French specialized memory settings, sex ratios (female percent/male percent) were found as follows: 1.21 (54.7%/45.3%) for DLB (n = 10,309), 2.34 (70.1%/29.9%) for AD (n = 135,664), 0.76 (43.1%/56.9%) for PD (n = 8744), and 0.83 (45.4%/54.6%) for PDD (n = 3198). Significant differences were found between each group, but not between PDD and PD, which had a similar sex ratio.

Conclusions

This large-sample prevalence study confirms the balanced gender distribution in the DLB population compared with AD and PD-PDD. Gender distribution and general demographic characteristics differed between DLB and PDD. This is consistent with the hypothesis that DLB is a distinct disease with characteristics intermediate between AD and PD, as well as with the hypothesis that DLB could have at least partially distinct neuropathological correlates.

Four Decades of Research in Alzheimer's Disease (1975-2014): A Bibliometric and Scientometric Analysis

BACKGROUND

Bibliometric and scientometric methods can be applied to the study of a research field.

OBJECTIVE

We hypothesized that a bibliometric and scientometric analysis of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) research field could render trends that provide researchers and funding agencies valuable insight into the history of the field, current tendencies, and potential future directions.

METHODS

We performed searches in publicly available databases including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Alzheimer's Funding Analyzer for the period 1975-2014, and conducted a curve fitting analysis with non-linear regression.

RESULTS

While the rate and impact of publications continue to increase, the number of patents per year is currently declining after peaking in the late 2000s, and the funding budget has plateaued in the last 5-10 years analyzed. Genetics is the area growing at a fastest pace, whereas pathophysiology and therapy have not grown further in the last decade. Among the targets of pathophysiology research, amyloid-β continues to be the focus of greatest interest, with tau and apolipoprotein E stagnant after a surge in the 1990s. The role of inflammation, microglia, and the synapse are other research topics with growing interest. Regarding preventative strategies, education attainment, diet, and exercise are recently gaining some momentum, whereas NSAIDs and statins have lost the spotlight they once had.

CONCLUSION

Our bibliometric and scientometric analysis provides distinct trends in AD research in the last four decades, including publication and patent output, funding, impact, and topics. Our findings could inform the decision-making of research funding agencies in the near future.

Evolution of the Antidepressant Prescribing in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disorders Between 2010 and 2014: Results from the French National Database on Alzheimer's Disease (BNA)

BACKGROUND

Safety warnings from health authorities are currently intended to limit the use of psychotropic agents in dementia-related conditions. Evidence concerning the use of antidepressants in dementia is, however, scarce and contradictory.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate antidepressant use among individuals with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related disorders in the French population between 2010 and 2014.

METHOD

Antidepressant prescriptions in individuals with AD, mixed dementia (MD), and vascular dementia (VaD) in the French National Alzheimer Database between 2010 and 2014 were analyzed (N = 199,544).

RESULTS

Multivariate analysis showed an annual significant increase (p < 0.001) in the prescription rate of antidepressants from 26% (2010) to 31% (2014), and identified female gender, younger age, higher education, living in long-term facilities, more severe cognitive decline, and presence of vascular signs (VaD and MD) as associated factors for antidepressant prescribing.

CONCLUSION

The annual increase of antidepressant prescribing among individuals with AD, MD, and VaD in French specialized settings may be partially related to the lack of current valuable medications for dementia-related behavioral symptoms.

Anticholinergic drugs and functional, cognitive impairment and behavioral disturbances in patients from a memory clinic with subjective cognitive decline or neurocognitive disorders

Background

Drugs with anticholinergic properties may be associated with various adverse clinical effects. The relationship between the anticholinergic (AC) burden and functional, global cognitive performance and behavior disturbances was assessed among elderly patients.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted between January 2012 and June 2014 in a memory clinic among outpatients living at home and with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) or neurocognitive disorders (NCD). The AC burden was measured using the Anticholinergic Drug Scale (ADS), the Anticholinergic Risk Scale (ARS), the Anticholinergic Cognitive Burden (ACB), Chew’s score, Han’s score, and the number of drugs with AC activity. Functional, cognitive performance and behavior disturbances were assessed using the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale (IADL), the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI).

Results

Among 473 included patients, 46.3% were at major NCD. Patients took on average 5.3 ± 2.6 drugs. MMSE was lower when Han’s score (p = 0.04) and number of AC drugs were higher (p < 0.001). IADL was lower when AC burden was higher, whatever the AC measurement. NPI was higher when ACB, Han’s score, and number of AC drugs were higher. After adjustment, all AC scores remained associated with IADL, while Han’s score and number of drugs with AC remained associated with the MMSE.

Conclusions

In patients with SCD or NCD, AC burden is associated with lower functional score, whereas the cross-sectional association between AC burden and cognitive performance or behavioral disturbance varies according to AC scores. Particular attention should be paid when prescribing drugs with AC properties, especially among patients with memory complaints.

Factors influencing time between onset of signs/symptoms and referral for dementia in elderly outpatients

BACKGROUND

The few studies that have focused on Time between Onset of Signs and Symptoms and Referral (TOSR) for dementia to a memory center suggest a substantial delay of 1-3 years. This delay has a negative impact on both patients' and their caregivers' quality of life.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate this delay and the factors associated with it in a cohort of community-dwelling elderly people attending a memory clinic, as well as assess the impact of the Third French National Alzheimer Plan (2008-2012).

METHODS

All patients referred to the Bretonneau Memory Clinic for the first time between January 2006 (the clinic has maintained a specific database since then) and March 2016 were included in the study.

RESULTS

Of the 8543 patients attending our Memory Clinic during the study period, 3353 attending for the first time and with complete data were included. Briefly, their ages were 82±7 years, and 67.2% were female; MMSE score was 21.2±6.6, IADL was 4.06±0.78 and the social-needs category of the Groupes Iso Ressources (GIR); Iso-Resource Group (IRG) scale was 4.04±0.37. The TOSR was, on average, 35.4±30.24 months, and increased after implementation of the Third French National Alzheimer Plan, from 26.68±26.28 months before 2009 to 40.08±31.2 months after 2009. Age and MMSE were associated with TOSR, but not the type of dementia, household composition and social characteristics. Also, there was a shorter TOSR for mild cognitive impairment than for dementia patients.

CONCLUSION

Our results emphasize the need for more education and information among the general public about the early signs of cognitive impairment, especially in elderly people.

Antipsychotic prescribing for Alzheimer's disease and related disorders in specialized settings from 2010 to 2014 in France: a repeated cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Safety warnings from health authorities are currently intended to limit the use of antipsychotics (APs) in dementia-related conditions to treat neuropsychiatric symptoms, such as disturbing and/or delusional behaviors. The aim of this study is to investigate prevalence, correlates and trends of AP prescribing among people with dementia between 2010 and 2014 in the French population.

METHODS

AP prescribing and associated factors among individuals with AD, mixed dementia and vascular dementia in the French National Alzheimer Database between 2010 and 2014 were analyzed using multivariate generalized estimating equations models (n = 199,549).

RESULTS

In 2014, 7.7% of people with dementia were prescribed an AP. Compared with 2010 there was a 16% increase in AP use. Multivariate analysis showed a linear increase risk of prescription with an adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 1.23 (1.17-1.30) in 2014 compared with 2010. Factors associated with AP prescribing were male gender, more severe cognitive decline and living in long-term care facilities. Older age and higher education were protective toward AP prescribing. The type of dementia did not have any influence on AP prescribing.

CONCLUSION

An increase in AP prescribing among individuals with dementia in French specialized settings over the last 5 years occurred despite safety warnings. This phenomenon suggests that alternative solutions for the management of behavioral and psychiatric symptoms in these populations are still urgently needed.

Risk Factors of Caregiver Burden Evolution, for Patients With Subjective Cognitive Decline or Neurocognitive Disorders: A Longitudinal Analysis

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The identification of factors used to predict caregiver burden may help preventive care. This study aimed to assess the relationship between evolution of patients with subjective cognitive decline (SCD) or progressive neurocognitive disorder (NCD) and evolution of caregiver burden.

DESIGN

Observational, longitudinal study.

SETTING

The study was conducted in the Clinical and Research Memory Center of the University Hospital of Lyon (France), between the November 1, 2011 and the June 30, 2014, with a maximum follow-up of 30 months.

PARTICIPANTS

The study population included outpatients with SCD or NCD at all stages, and their informal caregiver.

MEASUREMENTS

The caregiver burden was assessed during 2 visits of the patients and their caregiver, with the short version of the Zarit Burden Inventory (ZBI). Functional, cognitive performance, and behavioral and psychological symptoms were measured twice, concomitantly with the ZBI, using the Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) scale, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), respectively. Etiology and stage of the cognitive impairment were collected.

RESULTS

The population study included 222 patients (mean age at inclusion: 80 years old, 62.9% females), with an average follow-up 12.6 ± 6 months. Proportion of patients with major NCD at the second visit (62.2%) increased compared with inclusion (50.0%). MMSE and IADL decreased between the 2 visits (P < .001), whereas ZBI increased (mean ZBI: 3.2 ± 2 at baseline, mean ZBI: 3.8 ± 2 at follow-up, P < .001). In unadjusted analyses, ZBI tended to be higher for patients whose MMSE decreased of at least 3 points between the visits. ZBI increased over time when IADL decreased (P value for within-patient effect <.001), while it remained stable when the IADL increased. ZBI increased when NPI increased. After mutual adjustment for change of MMSE, IADL, NPI, and etiologies, increase of ZBI over time remained significant when MMSE decreased at least 3 points between baseline and follow-up, when IADL decreased, and when NPI increased of at least 4 points.

CONCLUSIONS

In a study population of patients with SCD or NCD at all stages, concomitant decrease of cognitive performance, increase of functional impairment, and increase neuropsychiatric symptoms over time were independently associated with increased caregiver burden. The identification of risk factors associated with an increased caregiver burden over time may allow a better evaluation of the impact of specific interventions on cognitive, behavioral, and functional dimensions of NCD on caregivers.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.govNCT02825732.

Utility of CSF biomarkers in psychiatric disorders: a national multicentre prospective study

Background

Affective and psychotic disorders are mental or behavioural patterns resulting in an inability to cope with life’s ordinary demands and routines. These conditions can be a prodromal event of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The prevalence of underlying AD lesions in psychiatric diseases is unknown, and it would be helpful to determine them in patients. AD cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers (amyloid β, tau and phosphorylated tau) have high diagnostic accuracy, both for AD with dementia and to predict incipient AD (mild cognitive impairment due to AD), and they are sometimes used to discriminate psychiatric diseases from AD. Our objective in the present study was to evaluate the clinical utility of CSF biomarkers in a group of patients with psychiatric disease as the main diagnosis.

Methods

In a multicentre prospective study, clinicians filled out an anonymous questionnaire about all of their patients who had undergone CSF biomarker evaluation. Before and after CSF biomarker results were obtained, clinicians provided a diagnosis with their level of confidence and information about the treatment. We included patients with a psychiatric disorder as the initial diagnosis. In a second part of the study conducted retrospectively in a followed subgroup, clinicians detailed the psychiatric history and we classified patients into three categories: (1) psychiatric symptoms associated with AD, (2) dual diagnosis and (3) cognitive decline not linked to a neurodegenerative disorder.

Results

Of 957 patients, 69 had an initial diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder. Among these 69 patients, 14 (20.2 %) had a CSF AD profile, 5 (7.2 %) presented with an intermediate CSF profile and 50 (72.4 %) had a non-AD CSF profile. Ultimately, 13 (18.8 %) patients were diagnosed with AD. We show that in the AD group psychiatric symptoms occurred later and the delay between the first psychiatric symptoms and the cognitive decline was shorter.

Conclusions

This study revealed that about 20 % of patients with a primary psychiatric disorder diagnosis before undergoing a CSF exploration for cognitive disorder displayed a CSF biomarker AD profile. In memory clinics, it seems important to consider AD as a possible diagnosis before finalizing a diagnosis of a psychiatric disorder.

The French National Alzheimer database: a fast growing database for researchers and clinicians

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major public health issue. The French National Alzheimer database (BNA) registers all medical acts performed by memory units and independent specialists throughout France. This article describes the national coverage, the registered patient characteristics and illustrates research possibilities.

METHODS

All data transmitted up to December 2012 were analyzed. The following patient characteristics were studied: age, sex, educational level, place of living, diagnosis, Mini-Mental State Examination score and existence of pharmacological or psychosocial interventions.

RESULTS

At the end of 2012, the BNA included 84% (n = 357) of all French memory units, contained 341,498 patients and more than 800,000 medical acts. AD accounted for 26.4% of all registered diagnoses, related disorders for 21.7% and mild cognitive impairment for 8.7%.

CONCLUSION

The BNA offers a multitude of research possibilities. In the coming years, the BNA will play a major role in monitoring trends and related risk factors in AD.

[Assessment of 10 years of memory consultations in the Franche-Comté: Description and analysis of the RAPID regional database]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact, on a regional scale (Franche-Comté), of 3 National Alzheimer care plans, particularly concerning the development of the offer of care management by clinicians as well as the panel of diagnoses concerned. Data on sociodemographic, neuropsychological and diagnostic characteristics were retrieved from the RAPID regional database between 1st January 2003 and 31st December 2012. These analyses focused exclusively on patients who had an initial consultation (n=12,017) during the same period. The existence of a previously established health network capable of carrying out governmental health plans has produced an effective interface between regional administrative structures responsible for the implementation of these plans and health professionals responsible for carrying out them out. This network study, the use of a battery of tests and a common software database have enabled the development of patient care management throughout the Franche-Comté region. It also showed the diversification of diagnoses mentioned over the past years as well as changes in clinical practices on how to address the issue of cognitive impairment.

Progression of mild cognitive impairment to dementia due to AD in clinical settings

OBJECTIVES

To describe the positive predictive value of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and the factors associated with progression in routine practice.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study was conducted from the French National Alzheimer Database. Among 446,439 patients cared for in the participating centers between January 2009 and January 2014, 45,386 (10.2%) were classified as having MCI and 23,676 had at least one follow-up visit. Annual progression rate was used to describe the progression of patients with MCI to dementia due to Alzheimer disease. Hazard ratios of dementia due to Alzheimer disease were estimated using Cox regression model.

RESULTS

Annual progression rate (95% confidence interval) was 13.7% person-years (py) (13.5%-13.9%) with higher rate for amnestic MCI (aMCI) (18.2% py [17.9%-18.5%]) than for nonamnestic MCI (naMCI) (9.5% py [9.3%-9.6%]). Separate regression models were performed for each MCI subtype. Higher education, older age, female sex, and lower Mini-Mental State Examination score were associated with an increased risk of progression for both subtypes. Use of anxiolytics (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: 0.77 [0.66-0.91]) was a protective factor for aMCI whereas antidepressant drugs (1.16 [1.04-1.29]) were associated with an increased risk. For naMCI, prescriptions of antidepressants (0.85 [0.74-0.98]) and antipsychotics (0.55 [0.32-0.93]) were protective for progression.

CONCLUSIONS

Under circumstances emulating routine clinical practice, the positive predictive value of an MCI diagnosis is in line with previous clinical studies and the external validity of the concept is strengthened. Distinguishing between aMCI and naMCI is particularly relevant.

The mini mental state examination at the time of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders diagnosis, according to age, education, gender and place of residence: a cross-sectional study among the French National Alzheimer database

The aim of this study

was firstly to describe the MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) score upon initial diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders among the French population, according to age. Secondly, education, gender and place of residence were studied as factors potentially associated with delayed Alzheimer's disease diagnosis.

Design

we conducted a cross sectional analysis of the French National Alzheimer database (BNA). Data from 2008 to 2012 were extracted. Patients were selected at the moment of their first diagnosis of AD (n = 39,451).

Results

The MMSE score at initial diagnosis dropped significantly with increasing age. The test score increased with the degree of educational background regardless of age. Gender and place of residence were significantly related to the MMSE score, women and persons living in medical institutions having lower MMSE scores under the age of 90 years and at all educational levels.

Conclusions

Health care professionals should be aware of these risk factors in order to maximize chances of earliest possible diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.

Early detection of memory impairment in people over 65 years old consulting at Health Examination Centers for the French health insurance: the EVATEM protocol

BACKGROUND

Only half of those living with Alzheimer's disease in France are currently diagnosed, and only one patient in three is supported during the early stages of dementia. This study aims to evaluate three cognitive tests for their predictive ability to diagnose mild cognitive impairments and Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. For people aged 65 years or over, presenting with a memory complaint, these tests can be performed easily during a preventative consultation.

METHOD/DESIGN

The EVATEM (évaluation des troubles de l'équilibre et de la mémoire (evaluation of balance and memory problems)) cohort study was designed to prospectively assess the predictive value of tests for the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairments and Alzheimer's disease in elderly subjects aged 65 years or over. Subjects were recruited from three health examination centers that are part of the French health insurance system. If a memory complaint was identified (using a dedicated questionnaire), the five-word test, the cognitive disorders examination test and the verbal fluency test were administered during a preventative consultation. A memory consultation was performed at a University Hospital to diagnosis any potential cognitive disorder and a one-year follow-up consultation was also scheduled. We recorded 2041 cases of memory complaint at our Health Examination Centers. Cognitive tests were refused by 33.6% of people who had a memory complaint. The number of subjects sent to a University Hospital memory consultation was 832 and 74.5% of them completed this consultation. The study population therefore includes 620 subjects.

DISCUSSION

Tests for the early diagnosis of a mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease and related disorders should be used in centers dedicated to disease prevention. These should guide subjects with memory impairment to full memory consultations at hospitals and improve the access to early medical and behavioral support.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov:NCT01316562.

Use of drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease in France: a study on a national level based on the National Alzheimer's Data Bank (Banque Nationale Alzheimer)

PURPOSE

To examine the way in which specific drug treatments for Alzheimer's disease are used and whether their use complies with clinical practice guidelines issued by the French National Authority for Health in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

METHODS

We analysed a cross-section of the French National Alzheimer's databank (BNA). Participants were individuals who consulted centres contributing to the BNA in 2010 and diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease and with at least one Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score recorded during the course of the year.

RESULTS

Of 191, 919 consultations recorded in the database, 29.9% involved a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, and 26, 809 patients had completed at least one MMSE. In 76.9% of cases, treatment was given with an anti-Alzheimer's drug. Monotherapy with an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor was prescribed for 48.3% of patients, monotherapy with memantine in 14.2% and dual therapy in 14.4% of cases. Treatment given did not comply with the guidelines in 20.7% of cases. Prescriptions not complying with the guidelines were associated with a lower mean MMSE score (13.6 vs. 18.0; p < 0.00001) and more cases of treatment with antidepressants (29.2% vs. 22.8%; p < 0.00001), anxiolytics (14.7% vs. 12.3%; p < 0.00001) and antipsychotics (8.7% vs. 4.9%; p < 0.00001).

CONCLUSION

Four of five prescriptions for treatment with anti-Alzheimer's drugs complied with the specific drug treatment chapter of the 2008 French clinical guidelines. Prescriptions not complying with the guidelines for acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and memantine were usually issued in situations involving advanced-stage Alzheimer's disease. The BNA can provide precise information on medical practice in Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.