[Prescription of cholinesterase inhibitors in Alzheimer's disease in France in 2000-2001: an assessment of compliance with national guidelines for diagnosis and follow-up].
BACKGROUND
Alzheimer's disease (AD) became a treatable disease about ten years ago when cholinesterase inhibitors (CI) became available. We conducted a national population-based study in France in order to describe patients taking CI in 2001, to compare the diagnostic procedures of AD and the drug prescriptions with the French National guidelines, and to analyze the follow-up procedures of the patients.


METHODS
The study was carried out in nine regions of France between December 1st 2000 and February 28th 2001 and included 3510 patients with CI treatment prescribed by the physicians affiliated with the National Social Security Health Care Fund.


RESULTS
We found that the diagnostic procedures and the prescriptions were in compliance with the national guidelines with more than 90 percent of patients referred to a specialist, brain imaging in 85 percent and a MMSE scored between 10 and 26 in more than 90 percent. However, patient follow-up was in compliance with the guidelines in only 50 percent of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Diagnostic procedures of AD and first prescription of CI seem to be adequate in France, but patient follow-up needs to be improved.
Dartigues
J-F
JF
Unité INSERM 593, Université de Bordeaux II, Bordeaux.
Douet
C
C
Rey
M
M
Sencey
M
M
Pigeon
M
M
Sardin
F
F
Maugendre
P
P
Crochet
B
B
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005602:France; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D002800:Cholinesterase Inhibitors