Desire for predictive testing for Alzheimer's disease and impact on advance care planning: a cross-sectional study.

TitleDesire for predictive testing for Alzheimer's disease and impact on advance care planning: a cross-sectional study.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2016
AuthorsSheffrin, M, Stijacic-Cenzer, I, Steinman, MA
JournalAlzheimers Res Ther
Volume8
Issue1
Pagination55
Date Published2016 12 13
ISSN Number1758-9193
KeywordsAdvance 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.

URLhttp://alzres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s13195-016-0223-9http://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1186/s13195-016-0223-9.pdf
DOI10.1186/s13195-016-0223-9
User Guide Notes

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27955707?dopt=Abstract

Short TitleAlz Res Therapy
Alternate JournalAlzheimers Res Ther
Citation Key8806
PubMed ID27955707
PubMed Central IDPMC5153917
Grant ListK23 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