title: Design, methods and demographic findings of the DEMINVALL survey: a population-based study of Dementia in Valladolid, Northwestern Spain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This article describes the rationale and design of a population-based survey of dementia in Valladolid (northwestern Spain). The main aim of the study was to assess the epidemiology of dementia and its subtypes. Prevalence of anosognosia in dementia patients, nutritional status, diet characteristics, and determinants of non-diagnosed dementia in the community were studied. The main sociodemographic, educational, and general health status characteristics of the study population are described.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-over and cohort, population-based study. A two-phase door-to-door study was performed. Both urban and rural environments were included. In phase 1 (February 2009 - February 2010) 28 trained physicians examined a population of 2,989 subjects (age: ≥ 65 years). The seven-minute screen neurocognitive battery was used. In phase 2 (May 2009 - May 2010) 4 neurologists, 1 geriatrician, and 3 neuropsychologists confirmed the diagnosis of dementia and subtype in patients screened positive by a structured neurological evaluation. Specific instruments to assess anosognosia, the nutritional status and diet characteristics were used. Of the initial sample, 2,170 subjects were evaluated (57% female, mean age 76.5 ± 7.8, 5.2% institutionalized), whose characteristics are described. 227 persons were excluded for various reasons. Among those eligible were 592 non-responders. The attrition bias of non-responders was lower in rural areas. 241 screened positive (11.1%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The survey will explore some clinical, social and health related life-style variables of dementia. The population size and the diversification of social and educational backgrounds will contribute to a better knowledge of dementia in our environment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Río Hortega, Valladolid, 47012, Spain. mtola.nrl@gmail.com
authors.forename: Miguel Angel
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Tola-Arribas
authors.forename: María José
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Garea
authors.forename: María Isabel
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Yugueros
authors.forename: Fernando
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ortega-Valín
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cerón
authors.forename: Beatriz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fernández-Malvido
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: González-Touya
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: San José
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Botrán
authors.forename: Vanessa
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Iglesias
authors.forename: Bárbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Díaz-Gómez
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000377:Agnosia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D015897:Comorbidity; D003704:Dementia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D012107:Research Design; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012923:Social Class; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology