Michael Klein, MD

This study provides excellent evidence that a 6-item screening tool based on orientation to date and a 3-item short-term recall is sensitive for dementia. Clinicians should consider using this simple screen in an outpatient setting, keeping in mind that the final diagnosis of dementia is a clinical judgment after full assessment and that this screen was not intended for use in following patients over time. Caution also should be exercised in extending these results to patients in the hospital, who were not included in this trial.

This study provides excellent evidence that a 6-item screening tool based on orientation to date and a 3-item short-term recall is sensitive for dementia. Clinicians should consider using this simple screen in an outpatient setting, keeping in mind that the final diagnosis of dementia is a clinical judgment after full assessment and that this screen was not intended for use in following patients over time. Caution also should be exercised in extending these results to patients in the hospital, who were not included in this trial.

This study provides excellent evidence that a 6-item screening tool based on orientation to date and a 3-item short-term recall is sensitive for dementia. Clinicians should consider using this simple screen in an outpatient setting, keeping in mind that the final diagnosis of dementia is a clinical judgment after full assessment and that this screen was not intended for use in following patients over time. Caution also should be exercised in extending these results to patients in the hospital, who were not included in this trial.