The economic cost of Alzheimer's disease: Family or public-health burden?

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) patients suffer progressive cognitive, behavioral and functional impairment which result in a heavy burden to patients, families, and the public-health system. AD entails both direct and indirect costs. Indirect costs (such as loss or reduction of income by the patient or family members) are the most important costs in early and community-dwelling AD patients. Direct costs (such as medical treatment or social services) increase when the disorder progresses, and the patient is institutionalized or a formal caregiver is required. Drug therapies represent an increase in direct cost but can reduce some other direct or indirect costs involved. Several studies have projected overall savings to society when using drug therapies and all relevant cost are considered, where results depend on specific patient and care setting characteristics. Dementia should be the focus of analysis when public health policies are being devised. South American countries should strengthen their policy and planning capabilities by gathering more local evidence about the burden of AD and how it can be shaped by treatment options.

What is happening with not recommended drugs for dementia in Argentina? Prescription patterns and direct costs analysis

“…Moreover, NRD prescriptions also compromise public health in relation to the direct and indirect costs that they represent. [15][16][17][18] Comparative studies on the prescription of pharmacological treatment for CI are scarce in Latin America due to the lack of official data from public health systems. 19 It is highly relevant to obtain good quality local data, allowing health authorities to perform appropriate regional health policies.…”

Recent Advancements of Nanomedicine in Neurodegenerative Disorders Theranostics

“…AD is the most common neurodegenerative disorder which affects millions of people and increases socioeconomic burden worldwide. [ 66 ] Till date, no effective therapy exists for this malady; even the most recent trial is terminated due to lack of improvement of cognitive decline. [ 67 ] Nanoparticles have provided a significant promise in AD treatments over the last decade by carrying drugs across the BBB, targeting amyloid‐β production, inducing sink effect and improving clearance to ameliorate disease condition.…”

Could Heat Therapy Be an Effective Treatment for Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Diseases? A Narrative Review

“…Furthermore, the economic cost of dementia is $968 billion globally (Xu et al, 2017). These costs are born by individuals and their caregivers, social health services, as well as public and private health care providers (Castro et al, 2010). Due to the aging population, the prevalence and impact of Alzheimer's disease are anticipated to increase in the future (Prince et al, 2013;Nichols et al, 2019).…”