In 2050 will be logged more than 113 million cases of dementia around the world.

-to carry out preventive activities could be reduced by 12 million cases in all the world

-the health costs of Alzheimer’s sufferers are 34% greater than those resulting from a similar people without the disease.

-En Spain, most of spending caused by dementia is borne by the family of the patient, but if it recayese on the public health would be 10% of its entire budget.

– mortality attributable to dementias resembles diseases such as cancer or vascular disease and is one of the leading causes disability.

-75% of the families in the care of Alzheimer’s sufferers suffer stress and a % 50 depression.

The data reflected in the report socio-economic impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias ”, prepared by the team of experts from the FEEN: the foundation of the brain confirms that cases of dementia increase exponentially with age. The team had been coordinated by the DRA. Cristina Prieto and helped the DRA. Eimil Ortiz, Dr. Carlos López de Silanes, and Dr. Marcos Llanero.

Thus, while its prevalence is below 2% in the group aged between 65 and 69 years, this value is doubled every 5 years, reaching 10-17 per cent in the Group of 80 to 84 years and reaching values of 30% above the age of 90. Thus, it is estimated that, by 2050, in Spain, will be more than one million patients, while around the world, the figure will come to 113 million. A genuine global epidemic in the coming years, due to the progressive ageing of the population is therefore predictable ”, says Dr. David a. Perez, Director General of FEEN: the FUNDACIÖN of the brain. However, is estimated to carry out preventive activities, it would retasar the onset of Alzheimer’s disease, and therefore cut 12 million global cases in 2050 ”.

Dementia is a clinical syndrome characterized by a persistent and progressive deterioration of the higher brain functions (memory, language, orientation, calculation or spatial perception, among others), with the consequent loss of autonomy of the patient, increasingly dependent of othersdetriment of their social activity and their caregivers. Although Alzheimer’s disease is between 60% to 80% cases of dementia, there are numerous pathologies that also produce, as for example those produced by vascular brain disease, which is the second commonest cause ”, explains the Coordinator of the study the DRA. Cristina Prieto.

Dementia increases the burden of affected persons, with special incidence of vascular problems (17.9 per cent suffers from ischemic heart disease, 32.3% brain stroke), risk of falls (17.7 per cent of the patients suffer any fracture), infections (14 per cent had pneumonia) and depression (more than half of patients). In addition, it is also a significant risk of hospital admission factor, that increases significantly the average patient stay (78,11 days with average 6.9), being also medically complex revenue. In fact, the health costs of Alzheimer’s sufferers are 34% higher than those resulting from a similar people without the disease.

Mortality attributable to dementia (30% male, 50% in women over 85 years) stands at a level close to other diseases such as cancer or vascular diseases. It is also one of the leading causes of disability in the surrounding countries: causes a greater dependence than diseases such as stroke, Parkinson’s disease or cardiovascular diseases. Nevertheless, dementia is not usually a public health priority, with the difficulty that this implies for setting up prevention programmes in early stages ”, says Dr. David a. Pérez. However, our country is a pioneer in safeguarding the autonomy and dignity of the patient with dementia through the preparation of the 2009 Sitges document, which lays the legal and ethical foundations of patient with dementia care ”.

In Spain, most of spending caused by dementia is borne by the family of the patient (87% vs. 13% assumed by public funds). This makes the economic cost is underrated, not allowing a good budgetary planning. Even so, it is estimated that, in 2004, the total expenditure was 8.2 billion euros, which would have meant having been assumed by the budget total of health, 10 per cent of expenditure; on the other hand, the annual cost per patient ranged from 18,000 to 52,000 euros, depending on the severity of dementia. Measures that can reduce the total cost of dementia include early diagnosis, the implementation of a treatment in mild phases and the use of non-pharmacological therapeutic alternatives ”, explains the DRA. Prieto.

On the other hand, it is estimated that the patient with Alzheimer’s disease precise of 70 hours of care a week, that mainly fall on family members. These caregivers show a considerable increase in physical and psychological illnesses: up to 75% suffer stress and 50% depression, resulting in a loss of quality of life and an early institutionalization of the patient.

The report socio-economic impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias ” of the FEEN: the FUNDACIÖN of the brain, also points out that there is a very important proportion of dementia not diagnosed, especially in milder stages, due to a lack of social awareness in our country, and a poor public health planning (lack of training and adequate infrastructure); Despite the fact that early diagnosis has clearly demonstrated a reduction of the social impact and the economic impact of the disease. However, the suspicion of dementia has become the first reason for consultation in neurology, which contrasts with the shortage of time available for patient and the lack of specialized units. It is necessary to implement global programmes allowing early diagnosis, a multi-dimensional treatment and a multidisciplinary approach covering not only the patient but also the main caregivers, to reduce the burden health, social and economic of dementias ”, the report concludes.