A cost-consequence analysis of different screening procedures in alzheimer's disease: Results from the MOPEAD Project

Anders Wimo, Mark Belger, Jaka Bon, Frank Jessen, Annette Dumas, Milica G. Kramberger, Laura Jamilis, Gunilla Johansson, Adrian Rodrigo Salas, Octavio Rodriguez Gomez, Lena Sannemann, Malou Stoekenbroek, Miren Gurruchaga Telleria, Sergi Valero, Lisa Vermunt, Lisa Waterink, Bengt Winblad, Peter Jelle Visser, Marissa Zwan, Merce Boada

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Abstract

Background: For care planning and support, under-detection and late diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a great challenge. Models of Patient-Engagement for Alzheimer's Disease (MOPEAD) is an EU-funded project aiming at testing different strategies to improve this situation. Objective: To make a cost-consequence analysis of MOPEAD. Methods: Four screening strategies were tested in five countries (Germany, the Netherlands, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden): 1) a web-approach; 2) Open-House initiative; 3) in primary care; and 4) by diabetes specialists. Persons-at-risk of AD in all strategies were offered referral to a hospital-based specialist. The primary health-economic outcome was the cost per true-positive case (TP) of AD from the screened population. Results: Of 2,847 screened persons, 1,121 screened positive (39%), 402 were evaluated at memory clinics (14%), and 236 got an AD diagnosis (8%). The cost per TP of those screened was €3,115 with the web-approach, €2,722 with the Open-House, €1,530 in primary care, and €1,190 by diabetes specialists. Sensitivity analyses that more likely reflect the real-world situation confirmed the results. The number-needed-to-screen was 30 with the web-approach, 8 with the Open-House and primary care, and 6 with the diabetes specialists. There were country differences in terms of screening rates, referrals to memory clinics, staff-types involved, and costs per TP. Conclusion: In primary care and by the diabetes specialist, the costs per TP/screened population were lowest, but the capacity of such settings to identify cases with AD-risk must be discussed. Hence new diagnostic strategies such as web-solutions and Open-House initiatives may be valuable after modifications.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1149-1159
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Alzheimer's Disease
Volume83
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

Keywords

  • Alzheimer's disease
  • cost analysis
  • cost-consequence analysis
  • costs
  • dementia
  • diagnosis
  • diagnostic work-up
  • screening

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