Clinical Manifestations.

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Geriatrics
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Dementia prevalence is rising globally, highlighting the need for early diagnostic tools in primary care.
• Early intervention in dementia significantly impacts treatment outcomes and healthcare costs.
• The Bayer Activities of Daily Living (Bayer-ADL) scale is evaluated for its potential in distinguishing Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) from dementia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the Bayer-ADL scale's efficacy as a screening tool for differentiating MCI from dementia.
• To identify key questions within the Bayer-ADL scale for streamlined dementia assessment.

Main Methods:

• Data from 503 patients at the Center for Cognitive Disorders, Technical University of Munich, were analyzed.
• Comprehensive diagnostic work-up included Clinical Dementia Rating (CDR) and CERAD neuropsychological assessment battery (CERAD-NAB).
• Statistical analyses included bivariate correlations, linear regression, ROC curves, and stepwise variable selection.

Main Results:

• A 3-item short version of the Bayer-ADL scale accurately differentiates MCI from dementia (AUC = 0.836).
• The 3-item version demonstrates predictive power comparable to the full scale.
• This suggests the short version's utility for efficient dementia screening in primary care.

Conclusions:

• The 3-item short version of the Bayer-ADL questionnaire should be considered for dementia screening.
• Implementing this short version can enhance the efficiency and accuracy of dementia detection in primary care settings.