The performance of the Mini-Cog in a sample of low educational level elderly.

Sergio Telles Ribeiro Filho,Roberto Alves Lourenço

doi:10.1590/s1980-57642009dn30200003

Sergio Telles Ribeiro Filho, Roberto Alves Lourenço

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/s1980-57642009dn30200003

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Abstract

ObjectivesTo study the criterion validity of the Mini-Cog in low educational level elderly.DesignCross-sectional and validation design.SettingPoliclínica Piquet Carneiro, an outpatient unit of Rio de Janeiro State University Hospital, in Brazil.ParticipantsA convenient sample consisting of 306 individuals, 65 yrs or older, selected from April 8th to July 15th, 2002.MethodsAll participants underwent comprehensive geriatric evaluations which included the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the cognitive part of the Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders of the Elderly – Revised (CAMCOG-R). They were classified as demented or non-demented (DSM-IV). A post-hoc analysis was performed on the data from the 3 word recall test of the MMSE, and the Clock Drawing Test from the CAMCOG-R, and respective scores were added and interpreted in accordance with the Mini-Cog protocol.Results293 individuals completed all the study steps; 211 had 4 or less years of schooling and were included in the data analysis. 32% had dementia. Mini-Cog sensitivity and specificity was consistently low independently of the different cut-off points considered. The best performance was found at the cut-off point of 2/3 which yielded sensitivity and specificity of 60% and 65%, respectively.ConclusionThe Mini-Cog is not a good cognitive screening tool for individuals with less than five years of formal education.

Highlights

To study the criterion validity of the Mini-Cog in low educational level elderly
Between April 8th and July 15th, 2002, a convenient sample of 306 individuals was selected from elderly individuals who were seeking general medical treatment at the Internal Medicine Clinic of the Policlínica Piquet Carneiro, an outpatient unit of Rio de Janeiro State University Hospital
The confirmatory standard for the diagnosis of dementia was the consensual opinion of both professionals, which took into account both the clinical impression and the neuropsychological evaluation, and was based on the DSM-IV22 diagnostic criteria for dementia syndrome

Summary

Introduction

Abstract – Objectives: To study the criterion validity of the Mini-Cog in low educational level elderly. Methods: All participants underwent comprehensive geriatric evaluations which included the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the cognitive part of the Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders of the Elderly – Revised (CAMCOG-R). They were classified as demented or non-demented (DSM-IV). Métodos: Todos foram submetidos a uma avaliação geriátrica abrangente, que incluiu o Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM) e a parte cognitiva do Cambridge Examination for Mental Disorders of the Elderly – Revised (CAMCOG-R), e foram classificados segundo sua condição de ser ou não portador de demência (DSM-IV).

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