The diagnostic accuracy of dementia-screening instruments with an administration time of 10 to 45 minutes for use in secondary care: a systematic review.

Early screening for dementia is crucial for identifying reversible causes as well as managing, counseling, and other therapeutic interventions. Many reviews have compared the suitability of very brief screening instruments for use in primary care, but reviews on more extensive instruments in secondary care are scarce. In addition, results on diagnostic accuracy are often biased due to methodological shortcomings, differences in the spectrum of patients or reporting. This systematic review reports the diagnostic accuracy of dementia-screening instruments with an administration time of 10 to 45 minutes, validated in secondary care, restricted to mild dementia and validation studies of "high quality". Characteristics such as cognitive domains and reliability figures are also highlighted. © 2010 The Author(s).