[Memory Clinics in Germany - Results of a Hospital Survey].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the structures for early and differential diagnosis of dementia in hospitals in Germany.

METHODS: Written questionnaire to all German hospitals.

RESULTS: 14 % of 1.758 hospitals responded. Of those, 52 % reported to offer a special service for early dementia diagnosis, mostly on an outpatient basis. The applied methods were in agreement with the national guideline for diagnosis and treatment of dementias, including technical diagnostics, such as neuroimaging and cerebrospinal fluid examinations. 46 % of the diagnostic spectrum were dementia. 41 % were either diagnosed as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or as subjective cognitive decline (SCD).

CONCLUSION: Despite mostly insufficient reimbursement, a large proportion of the responding hospitals offer a specialized service, which largely adheres to guideline-based diagnostic procedures. The concepts of at-risk and prodromal stages of dementia seem to be largely established.