Related Experiment Videos
Screening for cognitive impairment in older African-Caribbeans.
1Department of Old Age Psychiatry, Withington Hospital, School of Primary Care and University of Manchester, Manchester Royal Infirmary.
Psychological Medicine
|October 19, 2000
Summary
Culturally adapted cognitive screening tools, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and Abbreviated Mental Test (AMT), show high accuracy for dementia detection in older African-Caribbeans. These modified instruments are effective and well-accepted by the community.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neuroscience
- Public Health
Background:
- Growing population of older African-Caribbeans in the UK.
- Cognitive impairment screening tools lack validation in this demographic.
- Need for culturally sensitive diagnostic methods for dementia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To culturally adapt and validate cognitive screening instruments (MMSE and AMT) for older African-Caribbeans.
- To assess the sensitivity and specificity of these modified tools in diagnosing dementia.
- To ensure the instruments are practical and acceptable for community use.
Main Methods:
- Cultural modification of MMSE and AMT using community and professional input.
- Two-stage study with African-Caribbeans aged 60+ in Manchester.
- Comparison of screening instruments against a computerized diagnostic interview.
Main Results:
- Analysis of 130 participants, focusing on Jamaican subgroup (N=96).
- Significant correlations (P < 0.001) between screening tools and diagnostic interview.
- High sensitivity and acceptable specificity achieved with appropriate cut-offs.
Conclusions:
- Culturally modified MMSE and AMT, developed with community input, perform well for dementia screening.
- These adapted tools are easy to administer and acceptable to older African-Caribbeans.
- Results highlight the importance of culturally relevant assessment tools, acknowledging study limitations.