Health, survey: 1 in 2 Italians fears Alzheimer’s but only 1 in 10 knows the disease

One in two Italians fears they may suffer from Alzheimer in the future, but only 1 in 10 says they are very well informed about the disease. There is no shortage of optimists: 4 out of 5 Italians are convinced that research can lead to effective therapies. This is what emerges from a survey conducted on behalf of Airalzh (Italian Alzheimer’s Research Association), presented today at Roma at the Ministry of Health on the occasion of the press conference to celebrate the first 10 years of medical-scientific research activity of Airalzh Onlus. The survey, by Walden Lab with the operational support of Eumetra MR, was based on a sample of 800 subjects, representative of Italians aged 40 and over.

“The perception of Alzheimer’s disease as a serious and potentially risky pathology for each of us has been widely shared by the population, even if knowledge is very limited, especially on prevention, early diagnosis and treatment – says Paolo Anselmi, Founder & Managing Partner of Walden Lab – However, there is a very high interest in receiving information on these aspects explained in clear language and with means capable of reaching a large audience of the population”.

Alzheimer’s is considered a “very serious” disease by 68% of Italians; only cancer (83%) and multiple sclerosis (71%) are considered more serious. There is a very high concern (49%) that the disease could affect us personally in the future or strike one of our loved ones. And already today 28% of the sample declares that among their closest relatives there are or have been people who have suffered from Alzheimer’s. A percentage that reaches 49% if friends and acquaintances are also considered. Despite the high perception of severity and risk associated with Alzheimer’s and a direct experience of the disease, which concerns almost half of the sample, only a small minority (15%) today declares itself “very informed” about this disease. To which is added a 43% who declare themselves “fairly informed”. When asked to indicate their level of information on the various aspects of the disease, the majority declared themselves very or fairly informed on the symptoms (64%), the course (60%) and the outcome of the disease (59%), while only a minority said they were informed on the possibilities of treatment (41%), early diagnosis (39%) and prevention (33%).

The symptoms most associated with the disease – the survey still shows – are memory loss (85%), loss of orientation (69%) and loss of contact with loved ones (63%) and with the outside world (58%). Among the risk factors, there is one that is perceived as dominant by far: the presence of cases of Alzheimer’s in the family (75%), while less considered are limited intellectual activity (38%) and other ‘non-specific’ factors such as depression (29%), unhealthy diet (26%) and smoking (22%). In fact, only a minority (32%) consider a healthy lifestyle useful for the prevention of Alzheimer’s. Good quality of sleep is particularly little considered.

Looking to the future, an optimistic attitude prevails: 81% believe it is very or fairly likely that effective therapies will be found to cure Alzheimer’s and a similar percentage (83%) believes the role of research in identifying new treatments and forms of prevention is crucial.

In line with the elements highlighted by the survey, the sample’s interest in receiving information on the disease that can fill the large information gaps is confirmed. In particular, they would like to know more about prevention methods (61%), early diagnosis possibilities (60%) and treatment prospects (55%). The reliability of the information source is fundamental, with the sample clearly expressing interest in receiving information from entities specialized in research on treatment and prevention, preferably included in structured partnerships with the best research centers worldwide.