Qualitative Interview of Genral Practitioners in Milton Keynes
Research type
Research Study
Full title
PATTERN OF SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS PRECEDING THE DIAGNOSIS OF ALZHEIMER’S DISEASE. A QUALITATIVE INTERVIEW
IRAS ID
195174
Contact name
FIDELIA BATURE
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 0 months, 30 days
Research summary
BACKGROUND: Alzheimer’s disease (AD) kills and late diagnosis of the disease is a major challenge. Late diagnosis has been documented worldwide; one in four individuals in the UK has received a formal diagnoses, it sometimes takes between two to three years before a diagnosis is reached (HSCIS, 2014). Worldwide, 78% of individuals with AD are suggestively yet to receive a formal diagnosis. Findings indicate that this could be due to under-reporting (Jones et al, 2015), concealment of the symptoms (Marquer et al, 2014), with the current diagnostic criteria based on biomarkers rather than observable symptoms (Jack et al 2010, Dubois et al 2014). Late diagnosis may accelerate the cognitive and functional decline that leads to institutionalization, burden on caregivers, financial and health care sectors. \nSIGNIFICANCE: This study compliment a research to collects clinical data from the GP surgeries, to fill a gap in the literature regarding patterns in signs and symptoms preceding the diagnosis of AD to develop a predictive model for early detection of AD, as no study has been undertaken on this. Early diagnosis and intervention is beneficial by reducing the cognitive and functional decline and gives individuals the opportunity to live independent lives. \nMETHOD: A complimentary qualitative interview of 16 GPs in Milton Keynes (MK) to explore their perspectives on the early signs and symptoms of AD, issue of late diagnosis and recommendation for overcoming barriers to timely detection, using the framework analysis that looks at the commonality and the differences in qualitative data analysis.\nTIME FRAME: The interview with each participant, takes between half to an hour and MK GP consortium, will be offered an authorship in any publication generated from this study.\nFUNDING: No individual is funding this research, which is part of requirement for a Ph.D. degree.\nCONCLUSION: This study will support the current diagnostic criteria based on biomarkers, by using the predictive model in the primary care setting to improve the early detection rate.\n
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 2
REC reference
16/NS/0034
Date of REC Opinion
5 May 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion