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Highlighting and Reducing the Impact of Negative Aging Stereotypes During Older Adults' Cognitive Testing
Published on: January 24, 2020
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Cognitive complaints compared to performance on a mental state screening test in elderly outpatients
Renata Kochhann1, Ana Luiza Camozzato1, Cláudia Godinho1,2
1Dementia Clinic, Neurology Service, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre.
Dementia & Neuropsychologia
|December 8, 2017
Summary
Cognitive complaints are common in the elderly, but this study found no direct association with screening test performance. Mental state evaluations remain crucial for detecting significant cognitive impairment in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Neurology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- Cognitive complaints are frequent in the elderly, yet their clinical significance is debated.
- Early detection of cognitive impairment is vital for timely intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between self-reported cognitive complaints and objective cognitive screening test performance.
- To assess the utility of the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) in newly referred elderly patients.
Main Methods:
- A study of 200 elderly patients newly referred to a Neurogeriatric and Dementia (NGA) Outpatient Clinic.
- Data collected included referral reasons, prior cognitive screening, presence of cognitive complaints, and MMSE scores.
Main Results:
- Cognitive complaints were the primary referral reason for 63% of patients.
- Only 5% of patients had prior cognitive screening.
- No significant association was found between cognitive complaints and MMSE scores (p=0.1).
Conclusions:
- While cognitive complaints in older adults warrant attention, they do not always correlate with objective cognitive deficits.
- Mental state screening, such as the MMSE, is essential for identifying clinically significant cognitive impairment.
Keywords:
Mini Mental State Examagingcognitive complaintcognitive decline associated with agingdementiadepressionelderlymemoryMore Related Videos
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