Effectiveness of a self-reporting yes/no survey for dementia screening—trial in Fukui, Japan

Background: Early intervention for dementia patients is extremely important for the prevention of dementia. However, so far, it is not clear as to what kind of screening will be useful for the early detection of dementia.

Objective: We aimed to investigate the relationship between the results of a short self-reporting yes/no survey selected in Kihon Checklist, developed by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare to identify older adults who are at risk of requiring support/care, and other original items developed by Dementia Prevention Team, Fukui, Japan, and Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores, and determine the diagnostic efficacy of the self-reporting yes/no survey.

Methods: Self-reporting yes/no surveys were conducted for 87,687 individuals aged ≥65 years, living in Fukui, Japan, and did not have Long-Term Care Insurance, Japan. According to the survey results, selected individuals were advised to visit a local hospital to be assessed with MMSE.

Results: Individuals who could not make a call by looking up phone numbers and manage their own deposits and savings at the bank or automatic teller machine (ATM) had an increased risk of low MMSE score (≤23; odds ratio: 2.74 [1.89–3.97]; 95% confidence interval: 2.12 [1.46–3.07]).

Conclusions: Self-reporting yes/no survey could effectively screen for dementia. Not being able to make a call by looking up phone numbers and not being able to manage their own deposits and savings at the bank or ATM are signs of dementia.