3. Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE)

Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE)

This PatientPlus article is written for healthcare professionals so the language may be more technical than the condition leaflets. You may find the abbreviations list helpful.

See related Screening for Dementia record.

This informant questionnaire can be very useful in the screening and evaluation of dementia.[1][2] When combined with cognitive tests such as the mini mental state examination (MMSE), an useful overview is obtained and hence sensitivity and specificity as a screening test can be improved[3][4] A shortened 16 question form of the IQCODE has also been validated, and is shown here.[5]

Each question is scored from 1 (much improved) to 5 (much worse). For the Short IQCODE, a cut off point (average score) of 3.31/3.38 achieves a balance of sensitivity and specificity.[6]

Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE)
Short Form
Compared with 10 years ago how is this person at:
1. Remembering things about family and friends
e.g. occupations, birthdays, addresses?
2. Remembering things that have happened recently?
3. Recalling conversations a few days later?
4. Remembering his/her address and telephone number?
5. Remembering what day and month it is?
6. Remembering where things are usually kept?
7. Remembering where to find things which have been put in a different place from usual?
8. Knowing how to work familiar machines around the house?
9. Learning to use a new gadget or machine around the house?
10. Learning new things in general?
11. Following a story in a book or on TV?
12. Making decisions on everyday matters?
13. Handling money for shopping?
14. Handling financial matters e.g. the pension, dealing with the bank?
15. Handling other everyday arithmetic problems
e.g. knowing how much food to buy, knowing how long between visits from family or friends?
16. Using his/her intelligence to understand what's going on and to reason things through?
Average score per question =

Note: as used in published studies, the IQCODE was preceded by questions to the informant on the subject's sociodemographic characteristics and physical health.

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Further reading & references

  1. Jorm AF, Scott R, Cullen JS, et al; Performance of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) as a screening test for dementia. Psychol Med. 1991 Aug;21(3):785-90.
  2. Cherbuin N, Anstey KJ, Lipnicki DM; Screening for dementia: a review of self- and informant-assessment instruments. Int Psychogeriatr. 2008 Jun;20(3):431-58. Epub 2008 Feb 21.
  3. Mackinnon A, Mulligan R; Combining cognitive testing and informant report to increase accuracy in screening for dementia. Am J Psychiatry 1998 Nov; 155:1529–35
  4. Demegraph - Interpretation of the MMSE with the IQCODE.
  5. Jorm AF; A short form of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE): development and cross-validation. Psychol Med. 1994 Feb;24(1):145-53.
  6. Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) - Copies downloadable from website (paper format).
Original Author: Dr Huw Thomas Current Version:
Last Checked: 26/10/2010 Document ID: 9309  Version: 5 © EMIS

Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. EMIS has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions.