[Detection of cognitive disorders in clinical practice].

The detection rate of cognitive impairment by general practitioners in elderly hospitalised and ambulatory population is low, ranging from 50 to 73%, and from 24 to 42%, respectively. This is insufficient regarding the importance of an early diagnosis of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, for the patient and his/her proxies, but also for the primary care physician in charge. Thus, all general practitioners should have a strategy for the evaluation of cognitive impairment in elderly patient.