National dementia screening plan fails to secure recommendation

Plans to screen everyone in the country over the age of 65 for dementia have once again failed to receive a recommendation from the UK National Screening Committee.

The committee, which re-assesses the plans every three years, has upheld its stance that the current test for dementia – which comes in the form of questionnaire – is not accurate enough to be endorsed for this purpose.

Although the current test could be useful for identifying people with mild cognitive impairment, many of them would not go on to actually develop dementia, thus undermining the purpose of screening, according to the body.

Dr Anne Mackie, director of programmes for the UK National Screening Committee, said: "The evidence shows us that for every 100 people aged 65 tested, 18 would test positive, but only six of these would have dementia and one case would be missed."

To recommend screening, the committee needs to be confident that the chosen testing method could help to slow or prevent the disease in question. It has also declined to recommend national screening plans for Gaucher disease, bacterial vaginosis and preterm labour for failing to meet these criteria.