Presentation (CTI)

OBJECTIVES: Alzheimers disease (AD) accounts for approximately two thirds of dementia cases and is currently one of the leading causes of death in Denmark. Due to an aging population, the prevalence of AD is expected to increase substantially, placing a significant burden on health and social care systems. This study aimed to quantify the socioeconomic burden of AD for patients and their spouses compared with matched controls with AD by estimating healthcare costs, labour market impacts, and the potential savings associated with delaying disease progression through new treatments.
METHODS: In this Danish nationwide cohort study, we included all individuals aged >40 years with AD between 2015 and 2020. Individuals were indexed on the date of diagnosis or first prescription redemption and followed from 10 years before index until 5 years after index, death or end of study. Spouses were identified at index. Each patient was matched to 5 controls without AD by sex, age, and civil status. Labour market analyses were restricted to individuals aged <65. Healthcare costs included hospitalisations, primary care, prescriptions and social care services. Labour market outcomes included annual weeks of unemployment, sick leave and yearly income. Outcomes were estimated for patients and their spouse before and after diagnosis, and difference-in-difference analyses estimated the additional costs and labour market impacts for patients with AD.
RESULTS: Analyses will quantify differences in healthcare use and labour market outcomes for individuals with AD and their spouses. Additional costs for individuals with AD are compared to a matched control group before and after diagnosis. Scenario analyses will assess potential cost savings associated with delaying disease progression.
CONCLUSIONS: This study will provide evidence on the socioeconomic burden of AD and inform how emerging treatments that can delay the disease progression may reduce this burden.