Cognitive Tests for the Detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), the Prodromal Stage of Dementia: Meta-Analysis of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Breton, A., Casey, D., et al. (2019).
International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, 34(2), 233-242.
This meta-analysis examines the diagnostic accuracy of standardized cognitive assessments for the diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in individuals with memory complaints.
Trinity College, University of Oxford (United Kingdom)
1999-January 2017
Published studies (not further specified)
59
Eight cognitive tests were identified to assess MCI with following results:
<ul>
<li>Two brief cognitive tests―the Memory Alteration Test and the Quick Screen for Mild Cognitive Impairment―revealed adequate sensitivity (77-95%) and specificity (79-84%).</li>
<li>Three instruments―the Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised, the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)―were found to have comparable diagnostic accuracy. Sensitivity and specificity ranged across studies were 69-100% and 65-91%.</li>
<li>MoCA and the Mini Mental Status Exam (MMSE) had similar specificity (73%); however, the MoCA had greater sensitivity (81%) compared to the MMSE (66%).</li>
<li>The CDT-Sunderland and the Informant Questionnaire for Cognitive Decline in Elderly showed unclear diagnostic accuracy with varying degrees of sensitivity and specificity across studies. </li>
</ul>
Due to the considerable heterogeneity, case control research design and high risk of bias in the patient selection of many included studies, results should be interpreted with caution.
