Undetected cognitive impairment (CI) and dementia are important clinical and
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self-reported measure of severe memory problems (SMP) as a screen for CI and
dementia. For the purposes of the study, 3220 elderly women participated in a mailed
Health Survey Questionnaire and telephone interviews. Cognitive scores derived from
the Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status–modified (TICSm) were
calculated. Based on a multi-stage assessment strategy, all subjects were classified
in one of three status categories: dementia, CI, or unimpaired. The SMP question was
suggestive of cognitive problems in the majority of responders. t-tests
found affirmative responders scored much lower on the cognitive test than negative
responders. The SMP question had a sensitivity of .24 and a specificity of .99 for
screening CI and dementia. While other assessment measures are needed, the SMP
question is highly suggestive of CI and may serve as a first-stage screen in
clinical and research settings.
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