OBJECTIVES: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a type of dementia commonly seen in the elderly with no cure. Several modifiable vascular and lifestyle-related risk factors for dementia have been identified. Evidence from claims databases shows Medicare costs for patients with AD are higher compared to those for beneficiaries without AD. The average societal cost per AD patient depends on the severity of cognitive impairment, with costs being higher for severe AD patients compared to moderate or mild AD patients. Current AD treatments cannot halt disease progression, and the cost-effectiveness of recently approved aducanumab remains questionable. Hence, there is a pressing need for an alternate strategy to reduce the economic impact of AD on the healthcare system. In this conceptual paper, our objective is to understand the economic benefits of both lowering midlife-modifiable dementia risks and initiating treatments for AD in early stages.

METHODS: Published Markov models constructed to assess societal costs of the disease and health utilities will be evaluated within a timeframe of 10 years. Model inputs with the greatest impact on modifying dementia risks and model inputs related to the maximum benefits of initiating treatment at early stages of the disease will be identified.

RESULTS: Lowering risk factors, such as diabetes, blood cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, physical activity, and BMI, can reduce the number of individuals affected by the disease. Similarly, initiating treatment at early stages may delay disease progression. Both approaches may translate into lower societal costs for AD patients.

CONCLUSIONS: Stakeholders and policymakers should consider the benefits of lowering the incidence of AD by risk reduction, as well as moving available treatments to early stages of AD. This may preserve cognitive and physical functioning of patient for a longer time and thereby improve the efficiency of the healthcare system.