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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
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A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: January 11, 2020
Dementia screening questionnaire for individuals with intellectual disabilities
Shoumitro Deb1, Monika Hare, Lindsay Prior
1Division of Neuroscience, Department of Psychiatry, University of Birmingham, Queen Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital, Birmingham, UK. s.deb@bham.ac.uk
Summary
A new dementia screening questionnaire for adults with Down's syndrome (DSQIID) is effective. This tool aids in the early detection of Alzheimer's dementia in individuals with intellectual disabilities.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Gerontology
- Psychometrics
Background:
- Adults with Down's syndrome have a high risk of early-onset Alzheimer's dementia.
- Accurate clinical diagnosis of dementia in this population is challenging.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a user-friendly, observer-rated dementia screening questionnaire.
- To ensure the questionnaire has strong psychometric properties for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative methods were used to gather dementia symptom information from carers of individuals with Down's syndrome.
- Items were developed for the Dementia Screening Questionnaire for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities (DSQIID).
- The DSQIID underwent psychometric testing.
Main Results:
- The DSQIID was administered to carers of 193 adults with Down's syndrome.
- A total score of 20 achieved maximum sensitivity (0.92) and optimum specificity (0.97).
- The DSQIID demonstrated sound internal consistency (alpha=0.91), good test-retest reliability, interrater reliability, and construct validity.
Conclusions:
- The DSQIID is a valid and reliable screening tool.
- The questionnaire is user-friendly and observer-rated.
- It is suitable for screening dementia among adults with Down's syndrome.
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