Comparison of Three Cognitive Screening Tools in Older Urban and Regional Aboriginal Australians

Dement Geriatr Cogn Disord. 2015;40(1-2):22-32. doi: 10.1159/000377673. Epub 2015 Apr 14.

Abstract

Background: Validated cognitive screening tools for use in urban and regional Aboriginal populations in Australia are lacking.

Methods: In a cross-sectional community-based study, 235 participants were assessed on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) and an urban modification of the Kimberley Indigenous Cognitive Assessment (mKICA). Performance on these cognitive screening tools was compared to dementia diagnosis by clinical consensus.

Results: All tests were culturally acceptable with good psychometric properties. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses revealed that the MMSE and mKICA were the most accurate.

Conclusion: The MMSE is an effective cognitive screening tool in urban Aboriginal populations. The mKICA is a good alternative when illiteracy, language or cultural considerations deem it appropriate. The RUDAS also has adequate validity in this population.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Australia
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / ethnology*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Dementia / diagnosis
  • Dementia / ethnology
  • Female
  • Geriatric Assessment / methods*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests*
  • ROC Curve
  • Urban Population