Attitudes of the German general population toward early diagnosis of dementia

What does the general public understand about prevention and treatment of dementia? A systematic review of population-based surveys

“…Twenty-six studies asked respondents about dementia prevention ( Fig 1 ) [ 21 – 23 , 26 , 27 , 29 – 31 , 33 – 35 , 37 – 39 , 41 , 42 , 45 – 50 , 52 – 54 ]. Nearly half of respondents agreed that dementia is a normal part of ageing (from 13 studies; Median 48%, range 39–74%, n = 12,026) [ 23 , 27 , 28 , 35 , 38 , 41 – 43 , 45 , 47 , 51 – 53 ] and that dementia is not preventable (from six studies; Median 48%, range 19–59%, n = 9869) [ 21 , 38 , 47 , 49 , 53 , 55 ]. Consistent with this, one Australian study additionally reported that only 42 per cent of participants believed they could act to reduce their own risk (42%, n = 1003) [ 49 ].…”

“…Most respondents in six studies did not believe that there are medications available to prevent or reduce the risk of dementia (Median 37%, range 17–53%, n = 6370) [ 29 – 31 , 37 , 55 , 56 ]. On the other hand, 75 per cent of participants in two US studies [ 31 , 46 ] believed vitamins are available to prevent or reduce risk for dementia ( n = 2571).…”

“…On the other hand, 75 per cent of participants in two US studies [ 31 , 46 ] believed vitamins are available to prevent or reduce risk for dementia ( n = 2571). Most respondents in eight studies agreed that risk for dementia was reduced with mental activity (Median 61%, range 34–95%, n = 9313) [ 31 , 34 , 37 , 40 , 49 , 50 , 55 , 56 ]. However, when Bowes et al [ 33 ] specifically asked why respondents aged 50–65 years old participated in mental activities, very few reported ranked dementia risk reduction as their primary aim (1–8%).…”

“…However, when Bowes et al [ 33 ] specifically asked why respondents aged 50–65 years old participated in mental activities, very few reported ranked dementia risk reduction as their primary aim (1–8%). Belief in physical activity to reduce risk for dementia was moderate overall (Median = 41%, n = 11,966) but endorsement in individual studies ranged from 14 to 94 per cent [ 21 , 30 , 31 , 34 , 47 , 49 , 55 , 56 ]. Those with lower endorsement may be more representative as they tended to employ random digit dialling for recruitment [ 30 , 39 ] while those with higher endorsement were already involved in a prospective cohort study of ageing [ 31 ] or were recruited from health services [ 47 ].…”

“…Those with lower endorsement may be more representative as they tended to employ random digit dialling for recruitment [ 30 , 39 ] while those with higher endorsement were already involved in a prospective cohort study of ageing [ 31 ] or were recruited from health services [ 47 ]. All other non-pharmacological prevention strategies were poorly endorsed, including eating a healthy diet (Median 37%, range 9–89%, n = 10453) [ 26 , 30 , 31 , 34 , 49 , 55 , 56 ], not smoking (Median 21%, range 3–39%, n = 3016) [ 34 , 49 ], social activity (Median 13%, range 12–43%, n = 3481) [ 22 , 49 , 55 ], and moderate alcohol consumption (Median 5%, n = 1003) [ 49 ]. Three per cent of participants in Luck et al [ 39 ] agreed that ‘scientific research’ could reduce the risk for dementia but did not specify to what research this referred ( n = 1002).…”