Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
Volume 50, Issue 2 , Pages 175-184, February 1997

Reporting source bias in estimating prevalence of cognitive impairment☆

  • Jeanne A. Teresi

      Affiliations

    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress for correspondence: Jeanne Teresi, Ed.D., Ph.D., HHAR Research Division, 5901 Palisade Avenue, Riverdale, New York 10471.
    • Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale, Riverdale, New York 10471 U.S.A.
    • Columbia University Center for Geriatrics and Gerontology and New York State Office of Mental Health, New York, New York 10032 U.S.A.
    • ,
  • Douglas Holmes

      Affiliations

    • Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale, Riverdale, New York 10471 U.S.A.

Accepted 11 September 1996.

Abstract 

Reporting source bias was examined using cognitive data from a probability sample of adult day health care (ADHC) clients. Data were obtained from four sources: client, family, staff, and chart.

These data suggest that prevalence estimates are influenced by the reporting source and method of assessment, with chart diagnoses yielding the least convergent estimates. Examination of agreement summary statistics and bias indices show that both staff and family underreport prevalence of cognitive impairment, but that more bias is associated with staff than is with family sources. Such bias should be considered in studies of prevalence estimation of cognitive impairment.

Keywords:  Bias, dementia, error, measurement, prevalence, proxies

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☆ This study was funded by the National Institute on Aging and National Institute for Nursing Research (R01-Ag10645-01).

PII: S0895-4356(96)00332-0

Journal of Clinical Epidemiology
Volume 50, Issue 2 , Pages 175-184, February 1997

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