The Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) is not sensitive to cognitive impairment in bariatric surgery candidates
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Updated: May 4, 2026
A Machine Learning Approach to Design an Efficient Selective Screening of Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: January 11, 2020
Rachel Galioto1, Sarah Garcia1, Mary Beth Spitznagel1
1Kent State University, Kent, Ohio.
Background:
Cognitive dysfunction is common among bariatric surgery candidates and associated with poorer weight loss outcomes. Identification of a brief screening measure to detect cognitive impairment in this population is needed, because comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations may not be available in all clinical settings.
Methods:
The present study examined the utility of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for detecting cognitive impairment in 30 bariatric surgery candidates by comparing impairment on the MMSE (at varying cutoffs) to impairment on a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery.
Results:
Results indicated that the MMSE showed low sensitivity and specificity in identifying impairment, even at the more stringent MMSE cutoffs of 27 and 28.
Conclusion:
These findings suggest that the MMSE is a poor screener for cognitive impairment in bariatric surgery candidates. Future research is needed to identify or develop cognitive screeners for use in this population.
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