Abstract
The aim of this work was to develop normative data for neuropsychological tests for the assessment of independent and cognitively active Spanish older adults over 55 years of age. Methods: regression-based normative data were calculated from a sample of 103 nondepressed independent community-dwelling adults aged 55 or older (66% women). The raw data for the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT), the Rey–Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (ROCF) and the Judgement of Line Orientation Test (JLO) were regressed on age, sex and education. The model predicting the FCSRT delayed-recall (FCSRT-Del) scores also included the FCSRT immediate-recall (FCSRT-Imm) scores. The model predicting the ROCF immediate-recall (ROCF-Imm) scores included the ROCF copy-trial (ROCF-C) scores, and the model predicting the ROCF delayed-recall (ROCF-Del) scores included both the ROCF-C and the ROCF-Imm scores. In order to identify low scores, z-scores were used to determine the discrepancy between the observed and the predicted scores. The base rates of the low scores for both the SABIEX normative data and the published normative data obtained from the general population were compared. Results: the effects of the different sociodemographic variables (age, sex and education) varied throughout the neuropsychological measures. Despite finding similar proportions of low scores between the normative data sets, the agreement was irrelevant or only fair-to-good. Conclusions: the normative data obtained from the general population might not be sensitive enough to identify low scores in cognitively active older adults, incorrectly classifying them as cognitively normal compared to the less active population.
Highlights
The United Nations [1] predicts that, by 2050, the global population of older people will be growing at a rate of 2.6% per year
Descriptive statistics for the demographic variables and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) and GSD scores of the 103 participants are reported in Iñesta et al [56]
No statistically significant differences between the sexes were found in the years of education (t = 0.551; p = 0.583), MMSE (t = −1.59; p = 0.114), IADL (t = 0.70; p = 0.485) and GDS (t = −1.18; p = 0.240)
Summary
The United Nations [1] predicts that, by 2050, the global population of older people will be growing at a rate of 2.6% per year. In Spain, the number of people aged 55 years or older is around 15 million, which represents 33.08% of the overall population. Age is the main risk factor for cognitive impairment [5,6] and Alzheimer’s disease (AD), with the prevalence of AD increasing from age 60 to 89 years [7]. This situation has an important impact on both public health and sanitary and social services [8].
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