A Validity Study of the Mini-Cog Test in Thai Dementia Patients

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Pichaya Kusalaruk
Daochompu Nakawiro

Abstract

Objectives: To study a validity of the Mini-Cog test by comparing to mini-mental state examination (MMSE) for screening and diagnosing dementia in memory clinic at Ramathibodi hospital.


Method: The tests were conducted at memory clinic of Ramathibodi hospital between July 2005 and May 2010. They were carried out with 81 dementia patients and control group of 123 persons whose ages are 50 years old or greater. The data were collected through 3-item recall test and clock-drawing test form the medical charts whereas their interpretations were based on two Mini-Cog test algorithms and then compared with those of MMSE-Thai 2002 medical charts. Sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing dementia were also analyzed by comparing to gold standard, which is the diagnosing from consensus between psychiatrists


Results: The first Mini-Cog test returned 66.7% of sensitivity and 98.4% of specificity. The other Mini-Cog test algorithm have sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing dementia 72.8% and 97.6%, respectively. The MMSE-Thai 2002 in elementary school groups have sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing dementia 50% and 100%, respectively and in higher-then elementary school groups have sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing dementia 57.9% and 100%, respectively.


Conclusions: The Mini-Cog test is a useful tool for diagnosing dementia with high specificity and acceptable sensitivity. However, it should be used in correlation with clinical signs and symptoms. The advantages of this tool include its short time for administration, limited effects from level of education and verbal ability of examinees, simplicity to learn and apply.


 


 

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1.
Kusalaruk P, Nakawiro D. A Validity Study of the Mini-Cog Test in Thai Dementia Patients. Rama Med J [Internet]. 2012 Dec. 28 [cited 2024 Mar. 28];35(4):264-71. Available from: https://he02.tci-thaijo.org/index.php/ramajournal/article/view/135415
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