Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. Efforts to determine risk factors for the development of AD are important for risk stratification and early diagnosis. Furthermore, there are no standardized practices for memory screening. Lack of knowledge on AD, perception of memory loss as part of normal aging, and poor socioeconomic conditions may also be implicated in the current situation of dementia.
Objective:
To evaluate knowledge of AD in a literate population of elders and correlate these findings with sociodemographic characteristics.
Methods:
A descriptive survey design study enrolled 994 volunteers from September 2007 to May 2008 in the city of Santos, São Paulo, Brazil, to answer a brief questionnaire consisting of 8 simple questions about knowledge of AD and worries about memory loss.
Results:
Greater knowledge about AD was associated with eight or more years of education, female gender and age between 60 and 70 years. Also, 52.8% of responders (95% CI - 49.5-56.0%) answered that memory loss is part of normal aging and 77.5% (95% CI - 74.7-80.1%) had never sought a doctor to evaluate their memories.
Conclusion:
Our study results reinforced that the first line of preventing late diagnosis of dementia is to act in health promotion, especially by targeting subjects older than 70 years of male gender and with lower educational level. It also provided evidence that strategies to promote physician initiative in treating memory problems are also paramount.
Key words:
Alzheimer's disease; dementia; epidemiological studies.
Resumo
A doença de Alzheimer (DA) é a causa mais comum de demência. Determinar os fatores de risco para o desenvolvimento da DA é importante na estratificação de risco e no diagnóstico precoce. Falta de conhecimento sobre a DA, percepção de perda de memória como parte do envelhecimento normal e más condições de socioeconômicas podem também estar implicadas.
Objetivo:
Avaliar o conhecimento sobre DA numa população alfabetizada de idosos e correlacionar esses achados com suas características sociodemográficas.
Métodos:
Este estudo descritivo envolveu 994 voluntários de Setembro de 2007 a Maio de 2008 na cidade de Santos, São Paulo, Brasil. Eles se dispuseram a responder um questionário simples composto de 8 questões sobre o conhecimento da DA e preocupações com a perda de memória.
Resultados:
Um maior conhecimento sobre DA foi associado à escolaridade >8 anos de estudo, ao gênero feminino e a idade entre 60 e 70 anos. Além disso, 52,8% dos respondedores (IC 95% - 49,5-56,0%) disseram que perda de memória faz parte do envelhecimento normal e 77,5% (IC 95% - 74,7-80,1%) relataram que nunca haviam procurado um médico para avaliação de memória.
Conclusão:
Nosso estudo reforça o fato de que a primeira linha de prevenção do diagnóstico tardio de demência é a promoção da saúde, especialmente tendo em foco indivíduos maiores de 70 anos, gênero masculino e maior escolaridade, nossa população de mais alto risco. Também traz evidências de que estratégias para promover a iniciativa dos médicos no cuidado aos problemas de memória são de grande importância.
Palavras-chave:
doença de Alzheimer; demência. estudos epidemiológicos.
Texto completo disponível apenas em PDF.
Full text available only in PDF format.
References
- WHO. Active ageing: a policy framework, 2002 health report. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2002.
- Kalaria RJ, Maestre GE, Friedland RP, et al. Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia in developing countries: prevalence, management, and risk factors. Lancet Neurol 2008; 7:812-826.
- Irma Mebane-Sims. 2009 Alzheimer's disease facts and figuresAlzheimer's Association. Alzheimer's Dement 2009;5:234-270.
- Alzheimer's Disease International. World Alzheimer Report, 2009. London: Alzheimer's Disease International; 2009.
- Alzheimer's Disease International. World Alzheimer Report, 2010 - The global economic impact of Dementia. London: Alzheimer's Disease International ; 2010.
- Bradford A, Kunik ME, Schulz P, Williams SP, Singh H. Missed and delayed diagnosis of dementia in primary care: prevalence and contributing factors. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2009;23:306-314.
- Connell CM, Roberts S, McLaughlin SJ, Akinleye D. Racial Differences in knowledge and beliefs about Alzheimer disease. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2009;23:110-116.
- Stockenrider JS. What people know about Alzheimer's disease: A study of public knowledge. Am J Alzheimers Care Relat Disord Res 1993;8:6-14.
- Jang Y, Kim G, Chiriboga D. Knowledge of Alzheimer's disease, feelings of shame, and awareness of services among Korean American elders. J Aging Health 2010;22:419-433.
- Fornazzari L, Fischer C, Hansen T, Ringer L. Knowledge of Alzheimer's disease and subjective memory impairment in Latin American seniors in the Greater Toronto Area. Int Psychogeriatr 2009;21:966-969.
- Connell C, Roberts SJ, McLaughlin SJ. Public opinion about Alzheimer disease among blacks, hispanics, and whites: results from a national survey. Alzheimer Dis Assoc Disord 2007;21:232-240.
- Lee SE, Lee HY, Diwan S. What do Korean American immigrants know about Alzheimer's disease (AD)? The impact of acculturation and exposure to the disease on AD knowledge. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2010;25:66.
- MetLife foundation (2006). Memory Screening: Who attends and why: a survey of participants at national memory screening day. Downloaded on February 24th, 2010 from Downloaded on February 24th, 2010 from http://www.nationalmemoryscreening.org
» http://www.nationalmemoryscreening.org - The Alzheimer's Disease Screening Discussion Group (ADSDG) (2008). Alzheimer's Disease: Current Attitudes, Perceptions and Knowledge. Downloaded on March 12th, 2010 from Downloaded on March 12th, 2010 from http://www.youcanbetheone.com
» http://www.youcanbetheone.com
Publication Dates
-
Publication in this collection
Apr-Jun 2011
History
-
Received
28 Feb 2011 -
Accepted
05 May 2011
