Title | Desire for predictive testing for Alzheimer's disease and impact on advance care planning: a cross-sectional study. |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2016 |
Authors | Sheffrin, M, Stijacic-Cenzer, I, Steinman, MA |
Journal | Alzheimers Res Ther |
Volume | 8 |
Issue | 1 |
Pagination | 55 |
Date Published | 2016 12 13 |
ISSN Number | 1758-9193 |
Keywords | Advance care planning, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Alzheimer disease, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice, Humans, Male, Patient Acceptance of Health Care |
Abstract | BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether older adults in the United States would be willing to take a test predictive of future Alzheimer's disease, or whether testing would change behavior. Using a nationally representative sample, we explored who would take a free and definitive test predictive of Alzheimer's disease, and examined how using such a test may impact advance care planning. METHODS: A cross-sectional study within the 2012 Health and Retirement Study of adults aged 65 years or older asked questions about a test predictive of Alzheimer's disease (N = 874). Subjects were asked whether they would want to take a hypothetical free and definitive test predictive of future Alzheimer's disease. Then, imagining they knew they would develop Alzheimer's disease, subjects rated the chance of completing advance care planning activities from 0 to 100. We classified a score > 50 as being likely to complete that activity. We evaluated characteristics associated with willingness to take a test for Alzheimer's disease, and how such a test would impact completing an advance directive and discussing health plans with loved ones. RESULTS: Overall, 75% (N = 648) of the sample would take a free and definitive test predictive of Alzheimer's disease. Older adults willing to take the test had similar race and educational levels to those who would not, but were more likely to be ≤75 years old (odds ratio 0.71 (95% CI 0.53-0.94)). Imagining they knew they would develop Alzheimer's, 81% would be likely to complete an advance directive, although only 15% had done so already. CONCLUSIONS: In this nationally representative sample, 75% of older adults would take a free and definitive test predictive of Alzheimer's disease. Many participants expressed intent to increase activities of advance care planning with this knowledge. This confirms high public interest in predictive testing for Alzheimer's disease and suggests this may be an opportunity to engage patients in advance care planning discussions. |
URL | http://alzres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13195-016-0223-9http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13195-016-0223-9.pdf |
DOI | 10.1186/s13195-016-0223-9 |
User Guide Notes | |
Short Title | Alz Res Therapy |
Alternate Journal | Alzheimers Res Ther |
Citation Key | 8806 |
PubMed ID | 27955707 |
PubMed Central ID | PMC5153917 |
Grant List | K23 AG030999 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States RC1 AG036377 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States T32 AG000212 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States K24 AG049057 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States P30 AG044281 / AG / NIA NIH HHS / United States |