Barnes et al developed a brief dementia screening instrument for use in primary care. This can help to identify an older adult who may benefit from further assessment of cognitive function. The authors are from the University of California in San Francisco, Veterans Affairs Medical Center San Francisco, Boston University, University of Michigan and the VA Center for Practice Management and Outcomes Research in Ann Arbor.
Patient selection: 65 to 79 years of age
Parameters:
(1) age in years
(2) level of education
(3) body mass index (BMI)
(4) diabetes mellitus
(5) stroke
(6) needs assistance (money, help, medications)
(7) depressive symptoms (everything an effort most days in past week, on antidepressants)
Parameters
Findings
Points
age in years
(age - 65)
level of education
< 12 years
9
>= 12 years
0
BMI
< 18.5 kg per square meter
8
>= 18.5 kg per square meters
0
diabetes mellitus
no
0
yes
3
stroke
no
0
yes
6
needs assistance
no
0
yes
10
depressive symptoms
no
0
yes
6
total score =
= SUM(points for all 7 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: 0
• maximum score: 56
• A score >= 22 indicates a patient at high risk for dementia.
Performance:
• The c-statistic ranged from 0.68 to 0.78.
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