To validate the DSM-V neurocognitive disorder criteria in clinically suspected patients and to compare with DSM IV.

Despite existence of many diagnostic criteria to diagnose dementia none has a sensitivity of more than 50% and the robustness of the latest DSM V criteria has not been validated in Indian subcontinent.

All cases of cognitive impairment evaluated in Memory clinic of KMC between Aug 2017 to Aug 2019 were evaluated with DSM V and DSM IV diagnostic criteria for dementia.

The cohort of 101 patients had a mean age of 63.71 ±12.66 years, and 74% were males. Fifty six percent were educated. Normal MMSE was encountered 52% and 22% had severe impairment (MMSE<12). Twenty three percent had Depression and 15% had anxiety. Eight seven percent were labelled as having either major or minor cognitive impairment by DSM V and only 25% were diagnosed as dementia by  DSM-IV dementia criteria only moderate  agreement was observed  between DSM-V major impairment and DSM-IV (Kappa 0.488 ± 0.74).

DSM V diagnosed a very high percentage of patients with dementia whereas DSM IV could diagnose only 50%.  DSM-V criteria can be routinely applied for a proper diagnosis of dementia.