TEGEST as promising tool for assessing the risk of perioperative neurocognitive disorders

Perioperative neurocognitive disorders are often neglected and undiagnosed. There are known risk factors for these disorders (e.g., higher levels of frailty, cognitive decline before surgery). However, these factors are usually not assessed in the daily clinical setting. One of the main reasons for this lack of examination is the absence of a suitable cognitive function test that can be used in acute clinical settings. The primary aim of this study was to determine correlations between preoperative and postoperative scores on three cognitive tests (the Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE), the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) and the Test of Gestures (TEGEST).

This was a prospective, monocentric, observational study that included one cohort of patients aged 65 years and older. Patients underwent acute or elective surgical operations. Preanaesthesia tests were administered. After the operation, the patients completed the same tests between the 2nd postoperative day and discharge. Preoperative and postoperative cognitive test scores were assessed.

This study included 164 patients. The arithmetic mean age was 74.5 years. The strongest correlations were observed between MMSE scores and TEGEST scores (r = 0.830 before and 0.786 after surgery, P < 0.001). To compare the MMSE and the TEGEST, the MMSE was divided into 2 categories-normal and impaired-and good agreement was found among 76.2% of the participants (ϰ = 0.515). If the TEGEST scoring system was changed so that scores of 4-6 indicated normal cognition and scores of 0-3 indicated cognitive impairment, the level of agreement would be 90.8%, ϰ = 0.817. Only 5.5% of the patients had impaired MMSE scores and normal TEGEST scores, whereas 3.7% of the respondents normal MMSE scores and impaired TEGEST scores.

According to our results, the TEGEST is a suitable option for assessing cognitive functioning before surgery among patients who are at risk of developing perioperative neurocognitive disorders. This study revealed that it is necessary to change the rating scale for the TEGEST so that scores of 4-6 indicate normal cognition and scores of 0-3 indicate cognitive impairment. In clinical practice, the use of the TEGEST may help to identify patients at risk of perioperative neurocognitive disorders.