Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE)

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

Short Form of the Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (Short IQCODE) by A. F. Jorm, Centre for Mental Health Research, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia. More detail available here.

The author reports he has waived copyright on the Short IQCODE. However, the author appreciates being kept informed of research projects which make use of it.

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

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. [abstract]
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. [abstract]
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. [abstract]
6. Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) - Copies downloadable from website (paper format).