Chinanews client, Beijing, April 29th (Reporter Zhang Ni) On the 28th, a report released in Beijing disclosed the current status of the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease patients in China.

Data show that the proportion of patients who insist on taking medication is relatively low, and the proportion of patients who have taken more than 3 years is less than 30%. In contrast, the non-medicine rate and drug withdrawal rate of rural patients are significantly higher than that of urban patients.

Data map: In a specialized hospital that treats patients with Alzheimer's disease, a sick person is basking in the sun in a wheelchair.

Photo by Cui Nan issued by China News Service

Less than 30% of patients with Alzheimer's disease have taken medicine for more than 3 years

  As the average life expectancy in China continues to increase, Alzheimer's disease has become a serious disease threatening the health and quality of life of the elderly in an aging society.

  According to the Global Health Estimates Report 2019 released by the World Health Organization in 2020, in the past 20 years, among the top ten causes of death in the world, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia alone have been among the top ten causes of death in the world.

According to research, in China, there are 15.07 million people with dementia in people aged 60 and over, of which 9.83 million are with Alzheimer's disease.

  However, in contrast, patients' diagnosis and treatment are faced with the dilemma of low follow-up diagnosis, heavy burden of medication, and low medication compliance.

  On the 28th, at the parallel forum of the 13th Healthy China Forum "Alzheimer’s Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Research Report Release Conference" sponsored by the People’s Daily Health Client and Health Times and supported by Green Valley Pharmaceuticals, the first "China Alzheimer’s The Investigation Report on the Diagnosis and Treatment Status of Murder Patients" was released.

  The survey was guided by the China Aged Healthcare Association, initiated by the People's Daily Health Client, Health Times and the Alzheimer's Disease Branch of the China Aged Healthcare Association. It covered 30 provinces, municipalities and autonomous regions across the country, and collected 2038 valid questionnaires, including urban survey questionnaires. There were 1436 questionnaires and 602 rural questionnaires.

  “57.26% of patients’ primary reasons for medical treatment are memory loss, forgetting things, confusion, and not knowing familiar people. The vast majority of patients with Alzheimer’s disease seek medical attention after various symptoms, physical examination or cognitive screening. 10.06% of the people who went to the doctor were found to have problems." Xie Hengge, chairman of the Alzheimer's Disease Branch of the Chinese Geriatric Healthcare Association, said when reading the report.

  Also worrying is the patient's medication situation.

  The survey data shows that although 77.04% of the interviewed patients agree that the treatment of Alzheimer's disease requires life-long medication and 91.36% can feel the benefits of treatment, the current proportion of patients who insist on taking medication is relatively low, and patients who have taken it for more than 3 years The ratio is less than 30%.

  Why can't the patient stick to the medication?

According to the investigation and analysis, the main factors affecting drug treatment are price, efficacy and side effects.

  In addition, the situation in rural areas is even less optimistic. The survey shows that 40.86% of rural patients have never taken drugs, 30.23% have taken drugs but have stopped taking them, and the adherence rate is only 28.9%.

Data map: In a charity event, the staff distributed anti-lost bracelets for the elderly.

Photo by Chen Chao

Over 60% of patients still receive home care

  In recent years, the burden of care for patients with Alzheimer's disease has been a focus of social concern.

  In terms of care status, this survey found that although more than half of the urban respondents’ willingness to move into elderly care institutions (51.81%) is stronger than that of rural residents (40.37%), home care is still the main form (62.99%) at this stage.

  Worrying about the poor care of outside institutions, the high cost of care institutions, and the patient's unwillingness to leave the home to receive care are the main concerns of the interviewed patients with regard to social services.

  Although there are various concerns about living in elderly care institutions, most of the interviewees have a strong desire to do so. They believe that subjects such as elderly care service organizations, community service organizations, community medical staff, and charity funds should play a more important role in the future. Support for patients with Alzheimer's disease and their families.

  Regarding the current status of patient care, Wang Huali, executive vice chairman of the Alzheimer's Disease Branch of the China Geriatric Healthcare Association, analyzed that in China, home care for Alzheimer's disease is still the main form. In this case, home care should be paid attention to. Three aspects: one is disease management, the other is life care, and the third is safety care.

  Experts also emphasized that in the future, we should continue to consolidate the form of home care and gradually improve the level of socialized care services. At the same time, we should actively support caregivers and pay attention to the physical and mental health of caregivers.

At the same time, the community should play the role of providing support for the family, and building a multifunctional community is also the direction of future development.

(Finish)