San Marino. Alzheimer’s, 479 patients are diagnosed with neurocognitive disorders followed by ISS Neurology
Since 1994, the date of September 21 has been chosen to celebrate the world day of Alzheimer’s worldwide, established by the World Healthcare World in order to create a public awareness of the devastating consequences of this disease from the point of view. medical and social, not only for the sick, but also for their families.
TheSocial Security Institutewhich explains: “dementia, of which Alzheimer’s disease is the most frequent cause, is a clinical condition in which the decline in cognitive functions (for example, memory, reasoning skills or language) lead to a progressive loss of autonomy in all activities of daily life, such as taking care of oneself or the home.
According to WHO estimates, 55 million people in the world are living with Alzheimer’s or other forms of dementia and this figure is expected to reach almost 140 million cases by 2050, with health and social costs that well exceed already today the trillion dollars a year.
San Marino, as well as Italy, is among the countries with a strong exposure to the problem due to the high life expectancy.
Even in the absence of a treatment capable of this disease, an early diagnosis is essential, as it allows to have more time available to undertake pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions, able to slow down the progression of the disease and improve the quality of life of the sick and their families. And San Marino is doing its part in the challenge of being able to detect Alzheimer’s early, both in scientific research (such as the search for new tools for early diagnosis) and in clinical practice.
Despite the drama of these pathologies, and the additional difficulties linked to the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years, World Alzheimer’s Day must be a moment of hope that also allows us to look to the future with a feeling of optimism.
“In fact, it appears more and more concrete – explains Dr. Susanna Guttmann, Director of Neurology at the Institute for Social Security – the possibility of the development, in the not too distant future, of drugs capable of changing the course of Alzheimer’s disease, at least in cases where it is diagnosed in the earliest stages. And role are already, above all thanks to the associations, psychological support and possible cognitive interventions capable of improving the quality of life of these patients and their families“.
Currently the ISS Neurology follows 479 patients diagnosed with neurocognitive disordersof which the 66% diagnosed with the disease still in its early stages and without loss of autonomy in daily activities.
Also at the Neurology Unit, the Outpatient Clinic aimed at Cerebral Aging Disorders has already been reactivated a few days ago, which can also make use of the geriatric consultancy offered by the doctors of the Geriatrics department of the ISS. It is a space reserved for patients with problems related to Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.
It is also worth noting the scientific commitment to the research activity that sees ISS Neurology active on two fronts: an international multicentre study underway for some years involving several universities in the United Kingdom; and the development of new neuropsychological tests for memory assessment. Both studies aim to allow an increasingly early diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, the first with innovative electroencephalographic methods, and the second with a more classic approach based on cognitive tests.
“The Institute for Social Security – reiterates the Director General Francesco Bevere – supports and offers the widest support to people and their families, through an integrated management of their clients suffering from cognitive disorders and in particular from Alzheimer’s. This is one of the main health objectives that the ISS intends to pursue, as envisaged in the Health Plan. All this is made possible also thanks to the essential contribution of the Volunteer Associations which I thank for their important and supportive role also in this delicate area.“.
And it is precisely volunteering, in particular, ASSPIC – the San Marino Association for Support in Brain Aging Pathologies – demonstrates the significant importance of the commitment, for several years now, in supporting people with dementia and their families : in fact, psychological support groups aimed at family members of people with dementia are resumed and home cognitive function interventions continue.
And this year, on the occasion of World Alzheimer’s Day, ASSPIC invites family members, the sick, friends and all interested people, to the annual appointment of the Holy Mass, which will be held on Wednesday 21 September 2022 at 18:00 at Shrine of the Immaculate Heart of Mary of Valdragone. Among the other initiatives scheduled, moreover, the free screening of the film “The Father – Nothing is as it seems” which will be held on 25 September at 21:00 at the “Cinema Concordia” in Borgo Maggiore ”.