Identification of dementia and MCI cases in health information systems: An Italian validation study.

Introduction: The identification of dementia cases through routinely collected health data represents an easily accessible and inexpensive method to estimate the prevalence of dementia. In Italy, a project aimed at the validation of an algorithm was conducted.

Methods: The project included cases (patients with dementia or mild cognitive impairment [MCI]) recruited in centers for cognitive disorders and dementias and controls recruited in outpatient units of geriatrics and neurology.

Prevalence of parkinsonism estimated using the drug prescription archive: a possible method to estimate the prevalence of a chronic neurological disease?

Many surveys estimated prevalence of parkinsonism, with results varying largely. We used prescription records of medications for parkinsonism to estimate the prevalence of this condition. Retrospective survey based on Lazio (Italy) regional drugs' prescriptions registry.

Use of health and social care services in a cohort of Italian dementia patients.

The aim of this study, conducted in the Region of Lazio, Italy, in 2008-2010, was to describe the use, over a one-year period, of health and social care services in a cohort of 712 patients with a diagnosis of dementia. These patients had never previously used such services. We evaluated the association between the patients' sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and their use of services.

The accuracy of the MMSE in detecting cognitive impairment when administered by general practitioners: a prospective observational study.

Background: The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) has contributed to detecting cognitive impairment, yet few studies have evaluated its accuracy when used by general practitioners (GP) in an actual public-health setting.

Objectives: We evaluated the accuracy of MMSE scores obtained by GPs by comparing them to scores obtained by Alzheimer's Evaluation Units (UVA).

Methods: The study was observational in design and involved 59 voluntary GPs who, after having undergone training, administered the MMSE to patients with symptoms of cognitive disturbances.

Cognition and behaviour are independent and heterogeneous dimensions in Alzheimer's disease.

Clinical expressions of cognition and behaviour in Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients are heterogeneous. Therefore, assessing the entire range of selective cognitive and behavioural characteristics of dementia in minute detail is extremely important. However, considering that groups of different symptoms may respond to the same pharmacological agent, it is also evident that a correct evaluation of the behaviour requires the grouping of symptoms in fewer syndromes.