Objective: This study examined the ability of the Short Form Informant Questionnaire of Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (SFIQCODE), to identify dementia in individuals with intellectual disability...Show moreObjective: This study examined the ability of the Short Form Informant Questionnaire of Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (SFIQCODE), to identify dementia in individuals with intellectual disability. Standard screening tools to assess for dementia, are not suitable for use with this population, more sensitive dementia screening tools are needed. This study also examined if participant levels of depression are linked to cognitive decline, and if there is a relationship between cognitive decline and difficulties performing activities of daily living (ADL). Methods: This study forms part of a longitudinal, observational study. Data gathered over two periods named Waves 3 and 4, included 740 participants over 40 years of age along with their carers who acted as respondents. ROC curve analysis was carried out to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the SFIQCODE to identify dementia in individuals with intellectual disability. Correlational analysis examined SFIQCODE scores in relation to levels of depression and binary logistic regression examined the association between SFIQCODE scores and ability to perform ADL. Results: ROC curve analysis of SFIQCODE scores in Wave 3 indicated sensitivity = 0.77 and specificity = 0.86 of the SFIQCODE to correlate with a dementia diagnosis at cut-off score of 3.3 and sensitivity = 0.60 and specificity = 0.96 at a cut-off of 4. In Wave 4, for a cut-off score of 3.3, the ROC curve analysis indicated sensitivity = 0.35 and specificity = 0.85. At a cut-off of 4, sensitivity = 0.25 and specificity = 0.94. In Wave 3 correlational analysis found r(135) = .33, p < .001 between carer reported depression and SFIQCODE scores. In Wave 4 the correlation between carer reported depression scores and SFIQCODE scores was r(50) = .26, p = .062. Logistic regression identified non-significant associations between SFIQCODE scores and ADL. Conclusions: The SFIQCODE has potential for identifying dementia in individuals with intellectual disability. The correlation between carer reported depression and SFIQCODE scores within waves suggests depression and cognitive decline may be linked in individuals with intellectual disability. No relationship was found between SFIQCODE scores and ability to perform ADL. This study identifies the importance of all-encompassing health-care for individuals with intellectual disability.Show less