What correlates with the intention to be tested for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in healthy older adults?

Our purpose was to determine the factors that correlate with healthy older adults' intention to get tested for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) under 3 different hypothetical conditions: (1) if they noticed they were having memory problems; (2) if a family member suggested that they are having memory problems; or (3) as part of a regular medical examination. Older adults were recruited from the waiting rooms of 2 geriatrics outpatient clinics for face-to-face interviews regarding their interest in being screened for MCI. A short description of MCI adapted from The Alzheimer's Association's "Fact Sheet" was presented before asking about MCI testing. Multivariable ordinal regression was used to account for heavily skewed outcome data showing very high levels of interest in screening for MCI. The strongest, most consistent correlate across all of the intention measures was the desire to know as early as possible if one has Alzheimer disease. Another robust correlate was having had normal memory testing in the past. Older adults appear to have psychologically connected MCI to Alzheimer disease, but how well they understand this connection is not known and requires further study.