Simple screening models for cognitive impairment in community settings: The IRIDE Cohort Study

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Cognitive Neurology
• Public Health Screening

Background:

• Community settings require efficient methods for identifying cognitive impairment in older adults.
• Traditional cognitive tests can be time-consuming and resource-intensive for widespread screening.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate simple screening models for cognitive impairment in older adults.
• To enable early identification of cognitive decline in community-dwelling populations.

Main Methods:

• Development of three score-based screening models (simple, base, enhanced) using data from 5830 older adults.
• Models were developed using logistic regression, incorporating demographic data, questionnaire variables, and physical performance measures (grip strength, gait speed).
• Model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC).

Main Results:

• The enhanced model, including grip strength and gait speed, demonstrated the highest discrimination (AUC = 0.79).
• The simple model (age, sex, education) achieved an AUC of 0.72, while the base model had an AUC of 0.76.
• The enhanced model achieved 73% sensitivity and 70% specificity in identifying cognitive impairment.

Conclusions:

• Three validated screening models for cognitive impairment were developed.
• These models utilize readily available questionnaire data and physical performance measures.
• The developed models offer a practical approach for screening older adults in community settings, reducing the reliance on formal cognitive testing.