A new service provided by the Bavarian Digital Dementia Register (digiDEM) is a further step towards improving the quality of life of people with dementia and the relatives who care for them in Bavaria. Researchers at the Interdisciplinary Center for Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and Public Health at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) have developed a digital questionnaire that has been scientifically validated, which participants can answer online. Using the questionnaire, people who are close to the affected individual can evaluate signs of cognitive degeneration. The questionnaire is provided free of charge and it is a valuable starting point before seeking a clinical diagnosis.
Digital questionnaire validated by scientists
According to the World Alzheimer Report 2021, 75% of people living with dementia in the world have not received a qualified diagnosis. Meanwhile, a study in Germany has reported similar findings: 60% of people with dementia are not aware that they are affected. People are often diagnosed with dementia at a very late stage, yet it is important that individuals who are living with cognitive impairment and their relatives are aware of the condition as early as possible: "A timely diagnosis improves quality of life in terms of later healthcare options," explains neurologist Prof. Dr. Med. Kolominsky-Rabas, Head of the Interdisciplinary Center for Health Technology Assessment (HTA) and Public Health at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU) and one of the project managers for digiDEM. digiDEM is funded by the Bavarian State Ministry of Public Health and Care Services.
If Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia are detected at an early stage, it gives affected individuals and their relatives more time to learn to cope with the symptoms of the disease and treatment and support can be offered at a much earlier stage.
The digiDEM team has developed a further digital service with the IQCODE questionnaire to support the early diagnosis of dementia. Relatives or carers can use this digital questionnaire to estimate cognitive decline in affected individuals. IQCODE is an internationally recognized and scientifically validated questionnaire for the early detection of dementia.
