Latinos’ beliefs about Alzheimer's disease symptoms: Their nature, variability, predictability, and severity

Background Latinos will experience the largest increase in Alzheimer's disease (AD) prevalence over the coming decades. Yet little is known about their beliefs regarding AD symptoms and their variability, predictability, and severity. Objective To examine Latinos’ beliefs regarding the symptoms associated with AD, their variability and predictability and whether their severity differs across individuals. Methods A sample of 159 Latinos aged 40–64 living in Northern Manhattan completed baseline interview questions about AD symptoms and their variability and predictability. Data were coded using ATLAS.ti and content analyzed. Results Cognitive symptoms such as forgetfulness and memory loss, disorientation, confusion and inability to recognize familiar people, were most frequently reported as AD symptoms. Behavioral and emotional symptoms were less frequently mentioned. Most believed symptoms, and their severity, varied across individuals and at least some aspects of symptoms were believed to be unpredictable. Factors believed to be associated with variability in symptoms and severity included lifestyle, reaction to diagnosis, overall health status, life experiences, family support, medical care, social and physical environment, and individual differences including genetics. Conclusions Most participants recognized the core cognitive symptoms of AD but not the wider variety of symptoms those with the disease may experience. They offered numerous factors that might account for why symptoms and their severity differ across individuals. Educational interventions should emphasize the array of symptoms and their potential variability in occurrence and severity as well as their unpredictability in order to assist Latino families with identifying and managing AD in loved ones.