Underutilization of PET Scans Increases Alzheimers Care Costs

Two studies presented at AAIC 2017 showed that utilization of amyloid-beta PET scans allows for more accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease, avoiding wasted costs associated with misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. 

“A negative brain PET scan indicating sparse to no amyloid plaques rules out Alzheimer’s disease as the cause of dementia symptoms. This makes it a valuable tool to clarify an uncertain or difficult diagnosis,” James A Hendrix, PhD, director of Global Science Initiatives at the Alzheimer’s Association, said in a press release. “Misdiagnosis is costly to health systems, and expensive and distressing to persons with dementia and their families.”

The researchers found that PET scanning allows for more accurate detection when compared with standard clinical assessment supported by structural and metabolic imaging. They found that use of PET scans leads to a change in diagnosis in up to two-thirds of cases. Furthermore, a meta-analysis conducted in a large study population of 18,000 Medicare beneficiaries showed that 20% of patients received a diagnosis change after brain amyloid PET scans were performed. 

Despite the prevailing wisdom that PET scans are too costly, the researchers found that the accuracy of the test justify the costs, and avoid the excess costs related to misdiagnosis.

“Beyond the data reported at AAIC 2017, the IDEAS Study will provide further evidence to demonstrate the utility of amyloid PET imaging in a clinical setting,” Dr Hendrix said. “A swift and accurate diagnosis has a huge impact on access to Alzheimer’s treatments, eligibility for research trials, plus much-needed support and information services.”

—David Costill