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Primary care physicians' attitudes related to cognition enhancers in early dementia : a representative eight-year follow-up study in Lower Saxony, Germany

Maeck, L. and Haak, S. and Knoblauch, A. and Stoppe, G.. (2008) Primary care physicians' attitudes related to cognition enhancers in early dementia : a representative eight-year follow-up study in Lower Saxony, Germany. International journal of geriatric psychiatry, Vol. 23, H. 4. pp. 415-421.

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Official URL: http://edoc.unibas.ch/dok/A6005247

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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: By means of a representative follow-up survey, we investigated changes in family physicians' (FPs) attitudes towards cognition enhancers in early dementia during 1993 and 2001. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-two FPs (response rate 71.8%) in Lower Saxony, Germany, were randomly assigned to one of two written case samples presenting a patient with cognitive decline suggestive of early Alzheimer's disease (DAT; case A: female patient vs case B: male patient). Using a structured face-to-face interview, they were asked to suggest their potential drug treatment. The results were compared to corresponding data from our previous survey in 1993. RESULTS: FPs' readiness to start antidementia drug treatment decreased from 70.4% in 1993 to 43.4% at follow-up, although underlying DAT was significantly more frequently suggested (11.0% vs 26.2%, p > 0.05). Substances with questionable efficacy such as Piracetame were prescribed less frequently in 2001 whereas evidence-based medication like cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) failed to compensate for this drop. Compared to 1993, when 55.2% of FPs expected no therapeutic impact, at follow-up, 75.4% expected slowdown of disease progression, stabilisation or improvement of symptoms (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate a significant decrease of therapeutic nihilism in primary care within eight years. However, in patients with suspicion of DAT, this is not reflected accordingly in potential treatment.
Faculties and Departments:03 Faculty of Medicine > Bereich Psychiatrie (Klinik) > Erwachsenenpsychiatrie UPK > Erwachsenenpsychiatrie (Lang)
03 Faculty of Medicine > Departement Klinische Forschung > Bereich Psychiatrie (Klinik) > Erwachsenenpsychiatrie UPK > Erwachsenenpsychiatrie (Lang)
UniBasel Contributors:Stoppe, Gabriela
Item Type:Article, refereed
Article Subtype:Research Article
Publisher:John Wiley
ISSN:1099-1166
Note:Publication type according to Uni Basel Research Database: Journal article
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Last Modified:21 Jun 2013 12:29
Deposited On:21 Jun 2013 12:23

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