CASE-FINDING IN THE ELDERLY - A POSTAL QUESTIONNAIRE

Aims. To evaluate a postal questionnaire designed to identify elderly persons in need of geriatric evaluation and intervention in the commun ity. Methods. A sample of elderly persons, over 75 years, was randomly selected from the age-sex register of four general practices in the A uckland area. All respondents filled out postal questionnaires and a b linded assessment was made in their own homes using validated geriatri c assessment tools (the reference test). Objective evaluations were co mpared to self report questionnaire results and sensitivity, specifici ty, positive and negative predictive values were calculated. Results. Sixty-four persons aged 75-93 were evaluated. Thirty-nine subjects (61 %) answered the questionnaire in a way which indicated they had one or more unmet needs. Reference test evaluations showed that 23 persons ( 36%) had problems in one or more areas. Sensitivity for the questionna ire was 0.78 (18/23 correctly identified) and specificity was 0.49. Po sitive and negative predictive values were 46% and 80% respectively. C onclusions. A postal questionnaire may be a useful adjunct to health s urveillance of the elderly in general practice in New Zealand.