Development of a screening test for cognitive impairment in alcoholic population: TEDCA

Several studies have found cognitive impairment in patients with a history of alcohol use disorder, affecting their psychosocial functioning and the achievement of therapeutic goals. In order to identify these effects, several cognitive screening tests have been used, though they were not specific for alcoholic population, possibly leading to an increase in the risk of error.

The aim of this study is to assess the main cognitive deficits in patients with history of alcohol use disorders, through the development of a specific screening test for alcohol-related cognitive impairment.

The TEDCA (Test of detection of cognitive impairment in alcoholism) was designed based on three dimensions: Visuospatial Cognition, Memory / Learning and Executive Function. The study was divided in two phases: During phase 1, test items with greater capacity for discrimination between patients with different levels of cognitive impairment were selected, and during phase 2, the analysis for validity and reliability indexes took place. The sample consisted of 248 participants, 88 controls (phase 2) and 160 patients (phase 1: n=70 and phase 2: n=90).

TEDCA test obtained a high reliability (Cronbach’s alpha 0.754) value and the factor analysis confirmed the presence of the three dimensions previously defined. The present screening tool also discriminated between patients and control group, together with a good diagnostic validity of cognitive impairment.

TEDCA is a new screening test, which identifies the possible presence of cognitive impairment in patients with a history of alcohol use disorders, which can be used in the fields of psychiatry, primary care and research.