Fowler, Nicole R.Frame, AmiePerkins, Anthony J.Gao, SujuanWatson, Dennis P.Monahan, PatrickBoustani, Malaz A.2016-04-012016-04-012015-06Fowler, N. R., Frame, A., Perkins, A. J., Gao, S., Watson, D. P., Monahan, P., & Boustani, M. A. (2015). Traits of patients who screen positive for dementia and refuse diagnostic assessment. Alzheimer's & Dementia : Diagnosis, Assessment & Disease Monitoring, 1(2), 236–241. http://doi.org/10.1016/j.dadm.2015.01.002https://hdl.handle.net/1805/9170BACKGROUND: As part of the debate about screening for dementia, it is critical to understand why patients agree or disagree to diagnostic assessment after a positive screening test. We used the Perceptions Regarding Investigational Screening for Memory in Primary Care (PRISM-PC) questionnaire to measure the characteristics of patients who screened positive for dementia but refused further diagnostic assessment. METHODS: Survey of patients ≥65 years old without a diagnosis of dementia attending primary care clinics in Indianapolis, IN, in 2008 and 2009. RESULTS: Five hundred and fifty-four individuals completed the PRISM-PC and 63 screened positive. Of those, 21 (33%) accepted and 42 (67%) refused diagnostic assessment. In adjusted models, having larger stigma domain scores and living alone were significantly associated with increased odds of refusing the diagnostic assessment. CONCLUSION: Despite screening positive, many patients refused a diagnostic assessment. Living alone and the perceived stigmas of dementia are associated with the refusal of diagnostic assessment for dementia.en-USPublisher PolicyDementia screeningDiagnostic assessmentPrimary careAlzheimer's diseaseArticle