Case-finding in clinical practice: An appropriate strategy for dementia identification?

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Neurology

Background:

• Earlier dementia diagnosis is a public health priority.
• Case-finding is encouraged as an alternative to screening for dementia identification.
• Confusion exists regarding dementia case-finding definitions and appropriate application.

Purpose of the Study:

• To formally define dementia case-finding and distinguish it from screening.
• To critically examine current dementia case-finding policies and practices.
• To propose evidence requirements for implementing dementia case-finding in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Formal definition of dementia case-finding.
• Critical examination of existing policies and practices.
• Proposal of evidence requirements for clinical implementation.

Main Results:

• A formal definition of dementia case-finding is proposed, differentiating it from screening.
• Current dementia case-finding policies and practices are critically reviewed.
• Evidence requirements for clinical implementation are outlined.

Conclusions:

• Dementia case-finding presents a promising strategy for early identification.
• Substantial evidence gaps currently limit the appropriateness of dementia case-finding in clinical practice.
• Further research is needed to address evidence deficiencies for best practice recommendations.