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[Using the MMSE as a cognitive screener among Turkish and Moroccan migrants]
L A R Zwart1, M Goudsmit, J P C M van Campen
1MSc Geneeskunde, Onderzoeker Klinische Geriatrie Slotervaartziekenhuis, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, lar.zwart@gmail.com.
Tijdschrift Voor Gerontologie En Geriatrie
|December 6, 2014
Summary
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) may aid dementia screening in aging Turkish and Moroccan migrants, but education and language barriers pose challenges. A translator improved its utility, though a tailored test is recommended.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Neurology
- Public Health
Context:
- Aging migrant populations, specifically first-generation Turkish and Moroccan migrants in the Netherlands, face increased dementia risk due to prevalent hypertension and diabetes mellitus.
- Diagnosis of dementia is complicated by language barriers, low educational attainment, and cultural differences within this demographic.
- The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a common cognitive screening tool, but its applicability in populations with limited education and language proficiency is uncertain.
Purpose:
- To investigate the effectiveness of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) as a cognitive screening tool for dementia in an aging population of first-generation Turkish and Moroccan migrants.
- To determine an optimal MMSE cut-off score for dementia diagnosis in this specific population, considering potential confounding factors.
- To evaluate the impact of professional translation services on the MMSE's diagnostic accuracy.
Summary:
- A retrospective study analyzed 106 first-generation Turkish and Moroccan migrants, 61% with no formal education.
- Standard diagnostics were supplemented by professional translators, and dementia was assessed using a procedure excluding MMSE scores.
- The study found an Area Under the Receiver Operating Characteristic curve (AUROC) of 0.85, with an optimal MMSE cut-off of 18 (Youden index 0.61), suggesting potential utility with translators.
Impact:
- The findings suggest that the MMSE, when administered with professional translation, might be a feasible cognitive screening tool for dementia in this underserved population.
- However, the inherent reliance of the MMSE on educational and language skills highlights the need for developing culturally sensitive and education-independent cognitive assessments.
- This research underscores the importance of adapting diagnostic tools to diverse populations to ensure accurate dementia detection and timely intervention.
