A systematic review of the use of contingent valuation in Alzheimer's disease research

This systematic review was conducted to examine the use of an economic evaluation strategy called `contingent valuation' in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several scholarly and internet databases were searched for relevant citations. Articles were included in the review if they contained an original report of the use of contingent valuation in AD. Six articles — all of which assessed contingent valuation defined as willingness-to-pay (WTP) — met this criterion. Overall, caregivers' and patients' WTP for medications was higher when outcomes were better (e.g. cure versus stability). Cost-benefit analyses in two articles indicated that cholinesterase inhibitors, caregiver training, diagnostic testing, and publicly funded AD research would have net benefits for society. The articles were difficult to compare because of differences in methodology and setting. The articles also had a mix of methodological problems pertaining to study population, survey design, and elicitation of WTP. WTP is a useful means of conducting socioeconomic and policy research in AD, provided researchers are careful to address potential problems with comparability and methodology.