Problems in establishing case definitions for Alzheimer's disease registries

Abstract

Case definition, an important component of any patient registry, is particularly problematic for conditions such as Alzheimer's disease that do not have a definitive diagnostic test. Implementation of an effective registry for Alzheimer's disease requires:

• Agreement on a set of clinical criteria for diagnosis;

• Educational programs to ensure consistent diagnoses and to reduce the social stigma associated with this disease; and

• Awareness of the potential use of registries for risk factor analyses and planning for services to encourage timely diagnosis and reporting of cases.