Informant Questionnaire For Cognitive Decline In The Elderly Research Articles

Prestroke Cognitive Impairment: Frequency and Association With Premorbid Neuropsychiatric, Functional, and Neuroimaging Features.

Some patients with stroke have prestroke cognitive impairment (pre-SCI), but its etiology is not clear. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the frequency of pre-SCI and its association with premorbid neuropsychiatric, functional, and neuroimaging features. Patients hospitalized in stroke unit with an informant who could complete IQCODE (Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly) were included. Pre-SCI was diagnosed if the IQCODE score was >3.3. Prestroke assessment also included NPI-Q (Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire), the basic Activities of Daily Living and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scales, and the Clinical Dementia Rating scale. A multivariate logistic regression model was used to evaluate the association of pre-SCI with age, sex, education, arterial hypertension, atrial fibrillation, white matter lesions, cerebral microbleeds, and pathological medial temporal lobe atrophy. IQCODE was available in 474 of 520 patients (91.2%; 45% women; mean age 75.5±13.3 years). Pre-SCI had a prevalence of 32.5% and was associated with prestroke NPI-Q (pre-SCI absent versus present, 1.7±2.3 versus 5.5±4.9; P<0.001), Activities of Daily Living scale (0.3±0.8 versus 1.8±1.9; P<0.001), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living scale (0.6±1.3 versus 3.8±4.0; P<0.001), and Clinical Dementia Rating scale score (0.7±1.7 versus 7.2±6.2; P<0.001). In the 271 patients with a magnetic resonance imaging available, the multivariate logistic regression showed that age (odds ratio [OR], 1.05 [95% CI, 1.62-9.73]), white matter lesions (OR, 1.26 [95% CI, 1.003-1.58]), and a pathological medial temporal lobe atrophy score (OR, 3.97 [95% CI, 1.62-9.73]) were independently associated with pre-SCI. In the 218 patients with ischemic stroke, white matter lesions (OR, 1.34 [95% CI, 1.04-1.72]) and medial temporal lobe atrophy (OR, 3.56 [95% CI, 1.38-9.19]), but not age, were associated with pre-SCI. One-third of patients admitted to a stroke unit have pre-SCI that is associated with preexisting neuropsychiatric symptoms and functional performance. White matter lesions and medial temporal lobe atrophy are associated with pre-SCI, suggesting that both small vessel disease and neurodegeneration might be involved in its etiology.

Apathy mediates the association between age and cognition after stroke

Purpose To examine if the association between age and post-stroke cognition is mediated by apathy. Methods A cross-sectional investigation was carried out with 389 stroke survivors and informants. Data were collected through the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES-C) and the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). Bivariate analyses were conducted between the IQCODE total score and each of the demographic and clinical characteristics as well as apathy, while Baron and Kenny’s 4-step approach was used to examine the mediating effect of apathy on the association between age and post-stroke cognition. Results Participants were aged 64.3 years on average, with a mean IQCODE score of 97.6 (SD: 14.8) and a mean AES-C score of 41.3 (SD: 8.0). IQCODE scores were positively correlated with age (r = 0.32, p < 0.001) and apathy (r = 0.54, p < 0.001). Apathy contributed to 24% of the total effect of age on post-stroke cognition, exerting a significant mediating effect on the relationship between age and post-stroke cognition. Conclusions Apathy may have a significant impact on the cognitive health of stroke survivors. Therefore, the early identification of apathy symptoms could facilitate consideration of potential interventions, such as multisensory and cognitive stimulation, designed to improve cognitive outcomes in this population.

Prevalence of post-stroke cognitive impairment and associated risk factors in Chinese stroke survivors

BackgroundPost-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) adversely affects survivors' recovery trajectory and overall health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of PCSI and its associated risk factors. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with stroke survivors recruited from the neurology units of three hospitals in Yunnan, China. Measures included the Frenchay Aphasia Screening Test (FAST), Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), and Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI). Logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify risk factors significantly and independently associated with PSCI. ResultsOf 389 stroke participants studied, 139 (36%) were found to have PSCI. Every 10-year increase in age [odds ratio (OR) =1.69, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.27–2.24, p < 0.001], and 1-point increase in the AES (OR = 1.13, 95% CI: 1.07–1.18, p < 0.001) and FSS scores (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.03–1.10, p < 0.001) were significantly associated with higher odds of PSCI. Conversely, a 1-point increase in the MoCA score (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.87–0.95, p < 0.001) and having an undergraduate education (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.24–0.84, p = 0.013) or postgraduate education (OR = 0.18, 95% CI: 0.06–0.50, p = 0.001) were associated with reduced odds of PSCI. ConclusionsPSCI is prevalent in the Chinese population, with advanced age, lower education levels, lower MoCA scores, and higher fatigue and apathy scores identified as strong risk factors. It is recommended that psychological and cognitive assessment be routinely incorporated into post-stroke rehabilitation pathways to mitigate cognitive decline.

Upoređivanje kognitivnog statusa starije populacije sa dijabetesom i bez dijabetesa u poslednjih deset godina u primarnoj zdravstvenoj zaštiti u Iranu

Introduction. Cognitive disorders and chronic diseases such as diabetes are common problems of aging. The aim of this study was to determine and compare the cognitive status of diabetic and non-diabetic elderly in the past ten years in primary health care in Iran. Method: This cross-sectional study was performed on people aged 60 years and older in Kerman, Iran in 2020. In total, this study was performed on 200 patients (100 diabetic and 100 non-diabetic) meeting inclusion criteria. The Short Mental Status Questionnaire (MMSE) and The Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) were used to assess cognitive function. The validity and reliability of the questionnaires were confirmed in this study. Data were analyzed using Chi-square, T-test, and ANOVA analysis in SPSS 21 software. Results. The results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between diabetic and non-diabetic groups in the current cognitive status and cognitive status in the last ten years. The mean scores of cognitive function from the short mental status questionnaire in the diabetic group were lower than in the non-diabetic group (p = 0.001). The mean scores of the cognitive deficit screening questionnaire in diabetic elderly were higher than in non-diabetic elderly (p &lt; 0.001). Conclusion. Based on the results of this study, health care providers and family physicians should focus on controlling diabetes and identifying any cognitive impairment in the early stages of comprehensive care of diabetic patients.

Prestroke cognitive decline in africans: Prevalence, predictors and association with poststroke dementia

ObjectivesPre-existing cognitive decline is a risk factor for stroke onset and poststroke dementia. There is a knowledge gap on prestroke cognitive decline in indigenous Africans. We estimated prevalence and predictors of prestroke cognitive decline, as well as its association with poststroke dementia at one year in Nigerian survivors of a first ever stroke. MethodsProspective observational study. Prestroke cognitive decline was ascertained using an average score > 3.31 on the 16-item Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQ-CODE). Poststroke dementia was ascertained according to the ‘National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke and the Association Internationale pour la Recherche et l'Enseignement en Neurosciences (NINDS-AIREN) criteria’. Associations were investigated using multivariate logistic regression models and presented as odds ratios (O.R) within 95% confidence intervals (C.I). ResultsAmong 150 stroke survivors, prestroke cognitive decline was found in 25 (16.7%, 95% C.I = 11.5%–23.6%). In analyses adjusting for the effect of age, education and stroke severity, prestroke cognitive decline was associated with diabetes mellitus (O.R = 3.0, 95% C.I = 1.2–7.6). Ten (62.5%) survivors in the prestroke cognitive decline sub-sample developed dementia at one-year poststroke. In analyses adjusting for the effects of age, education, stroke severity and comorbid diabetes mellitus, survivors with prestroke cognitive decline had six times the odds of dementia at one year poststroke (O.R = 6.2, 95% C.I = 1.3–30.4). ConclusionPrestroke cognitive decline is common, assessment is feasible and identifying pre-stroke problems has prognostic implications.

Cognitive decline before and after a first-ever stroke in Africans.

There is a knowledge gap on the impact of pre-existing cognitive decline on poststroke decline in indigenous Africans. We describe the trajectories of domain-specific cognitive and activities of daily life (ADL) functioning across the first year of stroke in Nigerians with pre-existing cognitive decline. Prospective observational study. Prestroke cognitive decline was ascertained retrospectively using the 16-item Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). Assessments for global cognition, learning, memory, executive and ADL functioning were conducted at 3 time points using the Mini-Mental state examination (MMSE), 10-words list learning and delayed recall test (10 WDRT), Animal naming test and Barthel index, respectively. Among 150 stroke survivors, prestroke cognitive decline was found in 25 (16.7%, 95% C.I=11.5%-23.6%). In linear regression analyses adjusting for the effect of age, education, stroke severity and comorbid diabetes mellitus, prestroke cognitive decline predicted poor memory scores at one year [Adjusted standardized mean difference (SMD)=-0.6, 95% C.I=-1.1, -0.1, p=0.016)]. The association of prestroke cognitive decline with poststroke poor memory was substantially mediated by age (SMD=-0.9, 95% C.I=-1.4, -0.4, p<0.001). Pre-existing cognitive decline in this sample was associated with an age-mediated poor memory function at one-year poststroke. Early institution of targeted cognitive rehabilitation in stroke survivors with pre-existing cognitive decline may reduce the neurocognitive burden of stroke in Black Africans.

30 Informant-Reported Decline Associates with Silent Acute Stroke Lesions and Worse Small Vessel Disease in Mild Stroke Patients

Abstract Introduction Small vessel disease (SVD) commonly causes stroke and dementia. Early clinical predictors of disease progression are lacking. We aimed to determine whether informant reports of chronic cognitive/functional decline, prerequisites for dementia diagnosis, are associated with (a)baseline SVD burden, measured by Fazekas scores and (b)SVD change, measured by incident subcortical Diffusion-weighted Imaging (DWI) lesions. Method We prospectively recruited patients with mild ischaemic stroke, performed diagnostic MRI, and invited participants to repeat MRI 3- to 6-monthly. Informants completed the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) prior to baseline visit, a 16-item questionnaire which assesses patients’ cognitive and functional decline in the preceding ten years. Scores range from 1–5: a score above 3.3 has high sensitivity/specificity for dementia post-stroke. We conducted linear regression with IQCODE as the dependent variable, adjusting for age, sex, baseline MoCA, disability (modified Rankin Scale). Results We recruited 106 participants (mean age 67 years;range 40–86;33% female). Ninety-three informant questionnaires were returned. IQCODE associated with baseline Fazekas score; Fazekas 6 (β = 0.28, p = 0.04) vs. Fazekas 3 (β = 0.03, p = 0.67), R2 = 0.11, adjusted for age, sex, baseline MoCA, disability. Incident DWI lesions were common (15/106; 14/15 subcortical; no active embolic sources; median 67 days post-stroke). Four were asymptomatic, two reported stroke-like symptoms and nine had neuropsychiatric/non-focal symptoms. IQCODE was higher in those with a new lesion vs. without (β = 0.21, p = 0.02), R2 = 0.09, while age (β = −0.004, p = 0.19), MoCA (β = −0.006, p = 0.56) and disability (β = 0.06, p = 0.2) were not. Conclusions Higher SVD burden and incident, mostly “silent” stroke lesions associate more strongly with informant concerns of cognitive/functional decline than age or objective cognitive tests. These findings are novel in an ischaemic stroke population and the first to assess IQCODE/SVD progression. Future work should determine whether combining informant reports with imaging features of small vessel disease improves early detection of dementia.

Dementia detection with a combination of informant-based and performance-based measures in low-educated and illiterate elderly migrants

Objective Detecting dementia in people who are illiterate or have a low level of education is complicated because many cognitive screening tests are not suitable for these persons. Caregiver or informant-based judgment of cognitive status may aid diagnosis. Our goal was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) in a population of elderly non-Western migrants with a high illiteracy rate. Second, we wanted to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of IQCODE and Rowland Universal Dementia Screening (RUDAS) combined. Method 109 geriatric outpatients and 20 community controls were included. Geriatricians provided a research diagnosis of intact cognition (n = 27), mild cognitive impairment (MCI; n = 33) or dementia (n = 49). Diagnostic accuracy was calculated for the clinical sample (n = 109). ROC curves for prediction of group status for IQCODE, RUDAS and the combination of both were created. Results Predictive validity was high for both IQCODE and RUDAS and was highest for the combination (Area Under the Curve .91). Sensitivity, specificity, Youden index, predictive value, and likelihood ratio for IQCODE and RUDAS are reported. Conclusions In this study in non-Western elderly migrants, half of whom were illiterate, the IQCODE proved to be a valid instrument for dementia detection, and adding the RUDAS increased accuracy. Combining performance-based and informant-based data is recommended to enhance diagnostic precision.

Cognitive impairment before and after intracerebral haemorrhage: a systematic review.

There is increasing interest in understanding cognitive dysfunction before and after Intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH), given the higher prevalence of dementia reported (ranging from 5 to 44%) for this stroke type. Much of the evidence to date examining cognitive impairment associated with cerebrovascular disease has tended to focus more on ischaemic stroke. The aim of this review was to identify and quantify studies that focused on cognitive dysfunction pre and post ICH. We conducted a systematic search using databases PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus and PsycINFO to identify studies that exclusively assessed cognitive function pre and post ICH. Studies were included in the review if used a measure of global cognition and/or a neuropsychological battery to assess cognitive function. Nineteen studies were deemed relevant for inclusion, where n = 8 studies examined cognitive impairment pre ICH and n = 11 post ICH. Prevalence of cognitive impairment ranged between 9-29% for pre ICH and 14-88% for post ICH. Predictive factors identified for pre and post ICH were previous stroke, ICH volume and location and markers of cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA). Most common cognitive domains affected post ICH were information processing speed, executive function, memory, language and visuo-spatial abilities. Most common cognitive assessments tools were the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) for pre-existing cognitive impairment and the Mini-Mental State Examination for global cognition post ICH and the Trail Making Test where neuropsychological tests were used. Cognitive impairment and dementia affected almost one-third of patients, whether assessed pre or post ICH.

Prediction of Long-term Cognitive Decline Following Postoperative Delirium in Older Adults.

Increasing evidence suggests that postoperative delirium may result in long-term cognitive decline among older adults. Risk factors for such cognitive decline are unknown. We studied 126 older participants without delirium or dementia upon entering the Successful AGing After Elective Surgery (SAGES) study, who developed postoperative delirium and completed repeated cognitive assessments (up to 36 months of follow-up). Pre-surgical factors were assessed preoperatively and divided into nine groupings of related factors ("domains"). Delirium was evaluated at baseline and daily during hospitalization using the Confusion Assessment Method diagnostic algorithm, and cognitive function was assessed using a neuropsychological battery and the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) at baseline and 6-month intervals over 3 years. Linear regression was used to examine associations between potential risk factors and rate of long-term cognitive decline over time. A domain-specific and then overall selection method based on adjusted R2 values was used to identify explanatory factors for the outcome. The General Cognitive Performance (GCP) score (combining all neuropsychological test scores), IQCODE score, and living alone were significantly associated with long-term cognitive decline. GCP score explained the most variation in rate of cognitive decline (13%), and six additional factors-IQCODE score, cognitive independent activities of daily living impairment, living alone, cerebrovascular disease, Charlson comorbidity index score, and exhaustion level-in combination explained 32% of variation in this outcome. Global cognitive performance was most strongly associated with long-term cognitive decline following delirium. Pre-surgical factors may substantially predict this outcome.

Delirium After Mechanical Ventilation in Intensive Care Units: The Cognitive and Psychosocial Assessment (CAPA) Study Protocol.

BackgroundIn the intensive care unit (ICU), critical illness delirium occurs in the context of multiple comorbidities, multi-organ failure, and invasive management techniques, such as mechanical ventilation, sedation, and lack of sleep. Delirium is characterized by an acute confusional state defined by fluctuating mental status, inattention, and either disorganized thinking or an altered level of consciousness. The long-term cognitive and psychosocial function of patients that experience delirium in the ICU is of crucial interest because preliminary data suggest a strong association between ICU-related delirium and long-term cognitive impairment.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to explore the relationship between delirium in the ICU and adverse outcomes by following mechanically ventilated patients for one year following their discharge from the ICU and collecting data on their long-term cognition and psychosocial function.MethodsThis study will be conducted by enrolling patients in two tertiary ICUs in Australia. We aim to recruit 200 patients who have been mechanically ventilated for more than 24 hours. Data will be collected at the following three time points: (1) at discharge where they will be administered the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE); (2) at 6 months after discharge from the ICU discharge where the Impact of Events Scale Revised (IES-R) and the Telephone Inventory for Cognitive Status (TICS) tests will be administered; and (3) at 12 months after discharge from the ICU where the patients will be administered the TICS and IES-R tests, as well as the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). The IQCODE will be administered to their “person responsible” or the significant other of the patient.ResultsLong-term cognition and psychosocial function will be the primary outcome of this study. Mortality will also be investigated as a secondary outcome. Active enrollment will take place until the end of September 2016 and data collection will conclude at the end of September 2017. The analysis and results are expected to be available by March 2018.ConclusionDelirium during mechanical ventilation has been linked to longer ICU and hospital stays, higher financial burdens, increased risks of long-term cognitive impairment (ie, dementia), poor functional outcomes and quality of life, and decreased survival. However, delirium during mechanical ventilation in the ICU is not well understood. This study will advance our knowledge of the comprehensive, long-term effects of delirium on cognitive and psychosocial function.Trial RegistrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR): ACTRN12616001116415; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=371216 (Archived by WebCite at http://www.webcitation.org/ 6nfDkGTcW)

Routine cognitive screening in older patients admitted to acute medicine: abbreviated mental test score (AMTS) and subjective memory complaint versus Montreal Cognitive Assessment and IQCODE.

Introduction: routine cognitive screening for in-patients aged ≥75 years is recommended, but there is uncertainty around how this should be operationalised. We therefore determined the feasibility and reliability of the Abbreviated mental test score (AMTS/10) and its relationship to subjective memory complaint, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA/30) and informant report in unselected older admissions.Methods: consecutive acute general medicine patients aged ≥75 years admitted over 10 weeks (March–May 2013) had AMTS and a question regarding subjective memory complaint (if no known dementia/delirium). At ≥72 h, the 30-point Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) were done. Cognitive impairment was defined as AMTS < 9 or MoCA < 26 (mild impairment) and MoCA < 20 (moderate/severe impairment) or IQCODE ≥ 3.6.Results: among 264 patients (mean age/SD = 84.3/5.6 years, 117 (44%) male), 228 (86%) were testable with AMTS. 49/50 (98%) testable patients with dementia/delirium had low AMTS compared with 79/199 (44%) of those without (P < 0.001). Subjective memory complaint agreed poorly with objective cognitive deficit (39% denying a memory problem had AMTS < 9 (kappa = 0.134, P = 0.086)) as did informant report (kappa = 0.18, P = 0.15). In contrast, correlation between AMTS and MoCA was strong (R2 = 0.59, P < 0.001) with good agreement between AMTS < 9 and MoCA < 20 (kappa = 0.50, P < 0.01), although 85% of patients with normal AMTS had MoCA < 26.Conclusions: the AMTS was feasible and valid in older acute medicine patients agreeing well with the MoCA albeit with a ceiling effect. Objective cognitive deficits were prevalent in patients without known dementia or delirium but were not reliably identified by subjective cognitive complaint or informant report.

Informant single screening questions for delirium and dementia in acute care--a cross-sectional test accuracy pilot study.

BackgroundCognitive impairment often goes undetected in older people in hospital. Efficient screening tools are required to improve detection.To determine diagnostic properties of two separate informant-based single screening questions for cognitive impairment (dementia and delirium) in hospitalised older people.MethodsPatients over 65 years non-electively admitted to medical or geriatric wards within a teaching hospital. Our index tests were single screening questions (SSQ), one for dementia (“How has your relative/friend’s memory changed over the past 5 years (up to just before their current illness)?”) and one for delirium (“How has your relative/friend’s memory changed with his/her current illness?”), which were assessed with informant response given on a five point Likert scale.Any deterioration on our index tests of SSQ-dementia and SSQ-delirium was accepted as a positive screen for cognitive impairment. Scores were compared to the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) >3.38 accepted as dementia, and Confusion Assessment Method (CAM) diagnosis of delirium. We also collected direct cognitive screening data using Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE).ResultsInformant responses were obtained in 70/161 (43.5%) patients, median age 80.8 (range:67–97) years; mean MMSE score 18.5 (SD: 8.1). The SSQ-dementia when compared to the IQCODE had a sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 93.1%. The SSQ-delirium when compared to CAM diagnosis had sensitivity of 76.9% and a specificity of 56.1%.ConclusionsThese findings show promise for use of an informant single screening question tool as the first step in detection of dementia in older people in acute hospital care, although this approach appears to be less accurate in screening for delirium.

The Agreement between the MMSE and IQCODE Tests in a Community-Based Sample of Subjects Aged 70 Years or Older Receiving In-Home Nursing: An Explorative Study

Aim: It was the aim of this study to compare the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) with the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) and to explore the characteristics of subjects with possible dementia with only one of the two tools. Methods: We used a random sample of patients aged 70+ receiving social service or in-home nursing. The patients were tested with the MMSE, and the next of kin was interviewed using the following: the IQCODE, the Cornell Scale for Depression in Dementia (CSDD), the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI), instrumental activities of daily living (IADL), personal ADL (PADL) and the General Medical Health Rating (GMHR). Results: Subjects with dementia defined only according to the MMSE showed a pattern of scores on IADL, PADL, CSDD, NPI-10 and GMHR similar to the no-dementia group according to both the MMSE and the IQCODE. Those with dementia defined only according to the IQCODE showed a pattern of scores similar to the possible dementia group according to both the MMSE and the IQCODE.

Screening for cognitive impairment after stroke: A systematic review of psychometric properties and clinical utility.

To systematically review the psychometric properties and clinical utility of cognitive screening tools post-stroke. EMBASE, CINAHL, MEDLINE, PsychInfo. Studies testing the accuracy of screening tools for cognitive impairment after stroke. Data regarding the participants, selection criteria, criterion/reference measure, cut-off score, sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predicted values for the selected tools were extracted. Tools with sensitivity ≥ 80% and specificity ≥ 60% were selected. Clinical utility was assessed using a previously validated tool and those scoring <6 were excluded. Twenty-one papers regarding 12 screening tools were selected. Only the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) met all psychometric and clinical utility criteria for any levels of cognitive impairment. However, the MMSE is most accurate to screen for dementia (cut-off score 23/24) and should only be used for this purpose. In addition, the following can be used to detect: • Any impairment: Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination-Revised (ACE-R), Barrow Neurological Institute Screen for Higher Cerebral Functions (BNIS) and Cognistat. • Multiple-domain impairments: ACE-R, Telephone-MoCA or modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS). • Dementia: TICS; Cambridge Cognitive Examination; Rotterdam-Cambridge Cognitive Examination; Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) and short-IQCODE. The IQCODE and short-IQCODE are useful when the patient is unable to respond and an informant's view is required. The MoCA is the most valid and clinically feasible screening tool to identify stroke survivors with a wide range of cognitive impairments who warrant further assessment.

Racial Differences in the Recognition of Cognitive Dysfunction in Older Persons

We assessed the influence of race and education on informants' reports of cognitive decline in 252 community-residing older persons who were receiving services from senior health agencies. An expert consensus panel made diagnoses of normal cognition, cognitive impairment no dementia (CIND), and dementia based on clinical evaluations and standardized neuropsychological testing (using both population and race-adjusted norms). Informants were interviewed using the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). Informants of black participants with CIND reported less cognitive decline (lower IQCODE scores) than informants of white CIND participants [3.03 (0.61) vs. 3.23 (0.41); t (117)=2.12, P≤0.036] even though there were no significant differences in the participants' functional and neuropsychological impairments. An analysis of covariance which controlled for informant education indicated that this difference in IQCODE scores was attributable to the fact that black informants had fewer years of education than white informants. There was no statistically significant difference in IQCODE scores for black and white participants with dementia [4.0 (0.7) vs. 4.3 (0.7); t (67)=1.37, P=0.177]. We conclude that racially determined differences in perceptions of early cognitive decline and education may influence informant ratings of older persons. These differences may contribute to disparities in the detection and treatment of cognitive disorders in older black persons.

Variability in Depressive Symptoms Predicts Cognitive Decline in Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The measurement of affective symptoms in older persons who decline cognitively is uncertain. The authors investigated whether mood variability predicts dementia in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Three-year observational study after a clinical trial. Community follow-up of outpatients ascertained from retina clinics. One hundred sixty patients with AMD. Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) administered every 2 weeks for 6 months to subjects; Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) administered to subjects' knowledgeable informants. Twenty-three subjects (14.4%) declined cognitively. Age, education, baseline GDS score > or =5, and variability in GDS scores (i.e., fluctuations between adjacent time points) were associated with cognitive decline. For GDS variability, each 1 unit increase in the residual standard deviation (SD) of the GDS increased the risk for cognitive decline by 93% (IDR = 1.92; 95% CI [1.27-2.91]). Thus, subjects with a residual SD of 1 were nearly twice as likely to become demented as subjects with no variability in GDS scores. The risk for subjects with SDs of 2 increased more than threefold (IDR = 3.68; 95% CI [1.61-8.47]). A multiple regression analysis showed that GDS variability was a significant risk factor for dementia after controlling for significant covariates. These data suggest a useful approach to conceptualizing and measuring depressive symptoms in older persons. Variability in self-reported mood may be an early sign of dementia and may offer new insights into the neurobiological mechanisms linking depression and cognition

The validity of brief screening cognitive instruments in the diagnosis of cognitive impairment and dementia after first-ever stroke

Brief cognitive tests such as the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) have been used to detect cognitive impairment and dementia in studies of stroke patients. However, there are few data on their validity for such use. We have evaluated their validity in detecting cognitive impairment not dementia (CIND) and dementia in a community-based sample of first-ever stroke patients. The standardized MMSE (S-MMSE) and the 16-item IQCODE were administered to 79 patients 1 year after a first-ever stroke. CIND and dementia were diagnosed independently using a comprehensive cognitive battery. The performances of the two tests were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses. Combined performance was evaluated when their scores were used in parallel (the "or rule"), in series (the "and rule") or as a weighted sum (the "weighted sum rule"). Both tests were extremely poor at detecting CIND individually and in combination. For dementia, at traditional cut-points, the S-MMSE (< or =23) was insensitive (0.50, 95% CI 0.16-0.84) and the IQCODE (> or =3.30) nonspecific (0.63, 95% CI 0.51-0.75). An acceptable balance between sensitivity and specificity was achieved for dementia using the "or rule" combination, but with only modest positive predictive value. The S-MMSE and the IQCODE were individually poor at detecting CIND and dementia after a nonaphasic first-ever stroke. The combination was useful in detecting dementia but it does not replace the need for detailed neuropsychological tests.

Discrepancies in cognitive history from patients and informants in relation to cognitive function

The predictive value of subjective memory complaints (SMC) depends very much upon the population under study, but informant reports of memory or other cognitive impairments are more consistently associated with objective evidence of cognitive decline. In a recent study of initially non-demented individuals, discrepancy between subjective and informant reports of function (i.e. subjects overestimating their abilities relative to informant's reports) predicted incident dementia. The above suggested to us that systematic comparison of informant and subject history might aid in the detection of early cognitive decline. 1) To examine the relationship between discrepant reports on cognitive change (informant vs subjective) and cognitive function in a sample of patients attending a memory disorders clinic. 2) To identify three questions that, if posed separately to informant and subject, would be most likely to yield discrepant responses, predictive of cognitive impairment. The Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) comprises 26 questions, each requiring an informant to compare the patient's current ability in some aspect of memory and cognitive functioning (e.g. remembering the names of family and friends) with their ability 10 years ago. The IQCODE has good psychometric properties with respect to detection of dementia. We administered this instrument conventionally to informants (i.e. as a written questionnaire), and by interview to patients (i.e about themselves). All patients were attending a memory disorders clinic where they underwent comprehensive assessments from which the diagnoses of dementia (n=15, mean MMSE 24.0), cognitive impairment no dementia (n=9 mean MMSE 28.0), or no cognitive disorder (n=11, mean MMSE 29.2) were made. We examined the relationship between discrepant scores on the IQCODE (summed for all questions and item by item) and diagnostic category. There were highly significant diagnostic group-specific differences in discrepancy scores on the IQCODE, exceeding those of the IQCODE alone. The most salient questions (i.e. in which discrepancy was associated with diagnostic group) related to’ remembering things that happened recently’, ″learning new things in general’, and ‘handling of financial affairs.″ It will be important to repeat this study prospectively in a new sample.

Cognitive impairment, physical disability and depressive symptoms in older diabetic patients: the Fremantle Cognition in Diabetes Study

Objective: To determine whether the prevalence of dementia, depression and/or disability in older diabetic subjects warrants an active screening approach by diabetes health care workers. Patients and methods: The initial 223 members of a cohort of 529 eligible diabetic subjects, aged 70 years or over, were screened for cognitive impairment (using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE)), physical impairments and depressive symptoms. Results: Virtually all subjects were community-dwelling (99%) and mobile (86%) and relatively few had moderate or severe deficits in activities of daily living (ADL) (17.5%). The prevalences of cognitive impairment and probable dementia estimated from the screening tests were high (range 10.8–17.5%) compared with population studies. Any deficit with ADL was reported by 53% of the subjects and common problems included urinary and faecal incontinence. Scores consistent with clinical depression were reported by 14.2% of the sample but 50.2% of the remainder reported one or more depressive symptoms below the cut-off point for clinical depression. Only 36% of the study subjects were free of deficits in any domain. Conclusions: Community-living older diabetic subjects have high rates of cognitive impairment, deficits in physical function and depressive symptomatology suggesting that screening programs for functional impairments and depression may be beneficial in health care systems that manage older diabetic patients.