3154 Lumbar puncture to diagnose Alzheimer's disease within a Geriatrician-Led Memory Service is well-tolerated

Abstract Introduction With the emergence of disease modifying treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), there is an increasing emphasis on the earlier detection and diagnosis of AD. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sampled using lumbar puncture (LP) can be used to establish a biological diagnosis of AD. One potential obstacle to the widespread adoption of CSF biomarkers for AD diagnosis has been a perceived association with poor patient tolerability and safety of LP. LPs have been undertaken within our Geriatrician-Led Memory Service since May 2022. Patients are provided with a written information sheet prior to LP. Method A survey was developed in-house by the clinical team. A service evaluation initiative was registered within the local trust. All patients attending for LP since May 2022 were posted a feedback form with an enclosed pen and stamped addressed return envelope on 5th August 2024. Questions included: what the patient’s understanding was of why they were having a LP, whether the written information sheet provided sufficient information, their overall experience of the LP and whether there were any concerns about the procedure. Results Of the 36 feedback forms posted, 17 (47%) were returned. Of the 17 responses received, 12/17 (71%) of patients strongly agreed and 4 (24%) patients agreed that they understood why they were having a LP, what a LP involved before attending and that the leaflet provided sufficient information about a LP procedure. All 17 patients agreed that they were satisfied with their overall experience of the LP procedure. 5/17 (29%) patients stated they had concerns during or after the procedure; these included length of time taken for results to become available. Conclusion This survey of patients attending a Geriatrician-Led Memory Service for LP found obtaining CSF biomarkers for AD to be a well-tolerated procedure with high overall patient satisfaction.