A general practice-centred model for early diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease in Denmark: rationale, evidence and a pragmatic diagnostic approach.
- 1Department of Public Health, Research Unit for General Practice, University of Southern Denmark, Odense, Denmark.
Abstract
Purpose
Alzheimer's disease is a leading cause of disability among older adults and poses increasing challenges for healthcare systems. In Denmark, demographic changes and healthcare reform are driving greater involvement of primary care in diagnosis and management.Materials and methods
This paper examines the rationale for a general practice-centred model and summarises recent diagnostic developments, including blood-based biomarkers.Results
Although current disease-modifying therapies show only modest benefit, ongoing research and scalable biomarkers enable earlier and more accessible diagnosis. We propose a pragmatic three-step diagnostic approach for primary care, with structured clinical and cognitive assessment, exclusion of secondary causes including structural neuroimaging, and in the near future, the availability of feasible biomarkers to support diagnosis and guide referral. We also outline key organisational, educational and ethical requirements for implementation.Conclusion
A general practice-centred model may improve diagnostic timeliness, accessibility and continuity of care if integrated within a robust clinical and ethical framework.
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BibTeX
@article{kjær2026general,
title = {{A general practice-centred model for early diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease in Denmark: rationale, evidence and a pragmatic diagnostic approach.}},
author = {Niels Kristian Kjær and Jesper Lykkegaard and Helle Ibsen and Carl Llor and Jens Søndergaard},
journal = {Scandinavian journal of primary health care},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1080/02813432.2026.2752758},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42954299},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - A general practice-centred model for early diagnosis and management of Alzheimer's disease in Denmark: rationale, evidence and a pragmatic diagnostic approach.
AU - Niels Kristian Kjær
AU - Jesper Lykkegaard
AU - Helle Ibsen
AU - Carl Llor
AU - Jens Søndergaard
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/29
JO - Scandinavian journal of primary health care
DO - 10.1080/02813432.2026.2752758
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42954299
AB - Purpose Alzheimer's disease is a leading cause of disability among older adults and poses increasing challenges for healthcare systems. In Denmark, demographic changes and healthcare reform are driving greater involvement of primary care in diagnosis and management.Materials and methods This paper examines the rationale for a general practice-centred model and summarises recent diagnostic developments, including blood-based biomarkers.Results Although current disease-modifying therapies show only modest benefit, ongoing research and scalable biomarkers enable earlier and more accessible diagnosis. We propose a pragmatic three-step diagnostic approach for primary care, with structured clinical and cognitive assessment, exclusion of secondary causes including structural neuroimaging, and in the near future, the availability of feasible biomarkers to support diagnosis and guide referral. We also outline key organisational, educational and ethical requirements for implementation.Conclusion A general practice-centred model may improve diagnostic timeliness, accessibility and continuity of care if integrated within a robust clinical and ethical framework.
SN - 0281-3432
SN - 1502-7724
ER -