Pablo Martínez-Lage1, Manuel Martín-Carrasco2, Enrique Arrieta3, Jesús Rodrigo4, Francesc Formiga5. 1. Centro de Investigación y Terapias Avanzadas, Fundación CITA-Alzheimer Fundazioa, San Sebastián, España. Electronic address: pmlage@cita-alzheimer.org. 2. Clínica Psiquiátrica Padre Menni, Grupo de demencias de la Sociedad Española de Psiquiatría, Pamplona, España; Grupo de demencias de la Sociedad Española de Psiquiatría, España. 3. Centro de Salud de Segovia Rural, Grupo de Trabajo de Neurología de SERMERGEN, Segovia, España; Grupo de Trabajo de Neurología de SERMERGEN, España. 4. Confederación Española de Asociaciones de Familiares de personas con Alzheimer y otras demencias-CEAFA, Pamplona, España. 5. Grupo de demencias de la Sociedad Española de Psiquiatría, España; Programa de Geriatría, Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL), Grupo de demencias de la Sociedad Española de Geriatría y Gerontología L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España; Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Bellvitge (IDIBELL).
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: In the current context of increased life expectancy and progressive aging of the population a very significant increase in the number of people with cognitive impairment and dementia is expected. Consequently, Spain will face an enormous social and health problem in the next decades. The Mapa de la enfermedad de Alzheimer y otras demencias en España project aims to analyse plans, prevention and early diagnosis activities, process of care and resources available across the 17 Spanish regions for the management of cognitive impairment and dementia in order to identify improvement areas, as well as to provide a list of recommendations. METHODS: The working group consisted of an Advisory Committee of 5 national experts and a Committee of Experts from each region made up of professionals in the field of Neurology, Geriatrics, Psychiatry, and Primary Care, as well as representatives of Family Associations of People with Alzheimer's and other dementias. The Expert Committee of each region held meetings in which the current situation of care was reviewed. RESULTS: Plans available in Spain for dementia management are mostly obsolete or have not been implemented. Prevention and early detection activities are generally not carried out. There is great variability of care process that patients must follow for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of the disease, and not all diagnostic test are available in different regions. In general, resources are considered scarce and unknown. CONCLUSIONS: The Mapa de la enfermedad de Alzheimer y otras demencias en España study has been able to detect the main points that require changing n the management, organisation, and coordination of resources, such as information and training of the personnel involved. Furthermore, the study has revealed that, in Spain, the necessary conditions are in place in Spain, such as the availability and capacity of professionals involved, as well as there being the potential diagnostic and health care resources to address this room for improvement through the approval and development of a National Alzheimer's Plan, supported by a deep and truthful political commitment, which will be the ideal framework for the development of these possibilities.
INTRODUCTION: In the current context of increased life expectancy and progressive aging of the population a very significant increase in the number of people with cognitive impairment and dementia is expected. Consequently, Spain will face an enormous social and health problem in the next decades. The Mapa de la enfermedad de Alzheimer y otras demencias en España project aims to analyse plans, prevention and early diagnosis activities, process of care and resources available across the 17 Spanish regions for the management of cognitive impairment and dementia in order to identify improvement areas, as well as to provide a list of recommendations. METHODS: The working group consisted of an Advisory Committee of 5 national experts and a Committee of Experts from each region made up of professionals in the field of Neurology, Geriatrics, Psychiatry, and Primary Care, as well as representatives of Family Associations of People with Alzheimer's and other dementias. The Expert Committee of each region held meetings in which the current situation of care was reviewed. RESULTS: Plans available in Spain for dementia management are mostly obsolete or have not been implemented. Prevention and early detection activities are generally not carried out. There is great variability of care process that patients must follow for the diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of the disease, and not all diagnostic test are available in different regions. In general, resources are considered scarce and unknown. CONCLUSIONS: The Mapa de la enfermedad de Alzheimer y otras demencias en España study has been able to detect the main points that require changing n the management, organisation, and coordination of resources, such as information and training of the personnel involved. Furthermore, the study has revealed that, in Spain, the necessary conditions are in place in Spain, such as the availability and capacity of professionals involved, as well as there being the potential diagnostic and health care resources to address this room for improvement through the approval and development of a National Alzheimer's Plan, supported by a deep and truthful political commitment, which will be the ideal framework for the development of these possibilities.
Authors: María Dolores Ruiz-Fernández; José Manuel Hernández-Padilla; Rocío Ortiz-Amo; Cayetano Fernández-Sola; Isabel María Fernández-Medina; José Granero-Molina Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-10-07 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Eva Vegue Parra; Jose Manuel Hernández Garre; Paloma Echevarría Pérez Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-02-04 Impact factor: 3.390