SAGE for the Early Detection of Cognitive Impairment at Primary Care Provider Visits

Study Summary

Thus far no large randomized trial has demonstrated a correlation between screening and improved outcomes. This would need to be done to gain widespread acceptance of screening and case finding programs. Early detection of cognitive impairment could potentially result in the appropriate treatment of reversible cognitive impairment conditions or earlier initiation of pharmacological interventions for the management of a variety of other dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) conditions. A screening approach that reduces the number of false positive screens would improve the comfort level of physicians and patients with cognitive screening programs. The investigators propose to use the Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE) and the Electronic Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (eSAGE) to identify patients who score in the cognitive impairment range during an office visit with their primary care provider. Conversation with an individual who knows the patient well (if possible) will be performed to ascertain a significant change in the patient's cognitive skills over the previous year. The investigators wish to determine if screening for cognitive impairment in this way leads to new diagnoses and management outcomes compared to a group of primary care providers who use their current usual method in screening for cognitive impairment during office visits.

Primary Outcome

Number of participants in the intervention and the two control groups with diagnosis of a cognitive impairment disorder as measured by pharmacological interventions for the management of cognitive impairment.

Interventions

• OTHER Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (SAGE) or Electronic Self-Administered Gerocognitive Examination (eSAGE)
• OTHER Informant Conversation