Table 3 Perceptions of benefits, drawbacks, and limitations of MCI as a clinical diagnosis
From: Use of mild cognitive impairment and prodromal AD/MCI due to AD in clinical care: a European survey
Benefits | Strongly agree | Somewhat agree | Neither agree or disagree | Somewhat disagree | Strongly disagree | p value | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- Labeling the problem is helpful for patients and family members | EAN/EADC | 52 (51) | 38 (37.3) | 7 (6.9) | 2 (2) | 3 (2.9) | 0.12 |
AAN | 191 (45.5) | 192 (45.7) | 24 (5.6) | 11 (2.7) | 2 (0.5) | ||
- A diagnosis is useful so the patient can be more involved in planning for the future | EAN/EADC | 44 (43.1) | 41 (40.2) | 8 (7.8) | 5 (4.9) | 4 (3.9) | 0.15 |
AAN | 184 (43.8) | 180 (42.8) | 37 (8.8) | 16 (3.9) | 3(0.7) | ||
- A diagnosis can be useful in motivating the patient to engage in risk reduction activities | EAN/EADC | 43 (42.2) | 42 (41.2) | 9 (8.8) | 6 (5.9) | 2 (2) | 0.61 |
AAN | 148 (35.2) | 207 (49.4) | 39 (9.3) | 21 (4.9) | 5 (1.2) | ||
- A diagnosis helps the family with insurance planning | EAN/EADC | 23 (22.5) | 30 (29.4) | 32 (31.4) | 9 (8.8) | 8 (7.8) | 0.18 |
AAN | 90 (21.5) | 143 (34.1) | 143 (34.1) | 31 (7.3) | 12 (2.9) | ||
- A diagnosis helps the family with financial planning | EAN/EADC | 25 (24.5) | 41 (40.2) | 27 (26.5) | 4 (3.9) | 5 (4.9) | 0.35 |
AAN | 121(28.7) | 183 (43.6) | 93 (22.1) | 15 (3.6) | 8 (1.9) | ||
- Certain medications can be useful for treating some patients | EAN/EADC | 16 (15.7) | 39 (38.2) | 18 (17.6) | 16 (15.7) | 13 (12.7) | 0.034 |
AAN | 76 (18.0) | 199 (47.3) | 75 (17.8) | 49 (11.7) | 21 (5.1) | ||
Drawbacks and limitations | |||||||
- Diagnosing causes unnecessary worry for patients and family members | EAN/EADC | 8 (7.8) | 12 (11.8) | 11 (10.8) | 28 (27.5) | 43 (42.2) | 0.0001* |
AAN | 8 (2.0) | 74 (17.6) | 75 (17.8) | 155 (36.8) | 109 (25.9) | ||
- There is no approved treatment so it does not make sense to diagnose | EAN/EADC | 6 (5.9) | 0 | 6 (5.9) | 25 (24.5) | 65 (63.7) | 0.02* |
AAN | 11 (2.7) | 24 (5.6) | 33 (7.8) | 130 (31.0) | 222 (52.9) | ||
- It is too difficult to diagnose accurately or reliably | EAN/EADC | 4 (3.9) | 10 (9.8) | 9 (8.8) | 35 (34.3) | 44 (43.1) | 0.013* |
AAN | 8 (2.0) | 88 (21.0) | 53 (12.7) | 147 (34.9) | 124 (29.5) | ||
- MCI is usually better described as early Alzheimer’s disease | EAN/EADC | 8 (7.8) | 13 (12.7) | 23 (22.5) | 30 (29.4) | 28 (27.5) | 0.91 |
AAN | 26 (6.1) | 60 (14.4) | 87 (20.8) | 138 (32.8) | 109 (25.9) | ||