Economic Impact of Dementia in Developing Countries: An Evaluation of Alzheimer-Type Dementia in Shanghai, China

摘要

Abstract. The main objective of this study was to assess the economic cost of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in Shanghai, China, asna pilot study for future evaluations. Sixty-seven patients with AD were interviewed, and the information of the AD-related costnand resources used was collected from October 2005 to September 2006. By retrospective analysis, annual costs were calculatednand expressed in Chinese renminbi (RMB). Direct cost per patient per year averaged approximately 8,432 RMB (1,058 USD),nindirect cost per patient per year was 10,568 RMB (1,326 USD), and annual costs were 19,001 RMB (2,384 USD) per patientnper year in this investigation. Total cost was significantly associated with the degree of severity including cognitive functionn(MMSE) and activity of daily living (ADL).With the increase in the number of persons at risk for developing AD, the economicnburden of AD patients in China is significantly heavy.