학술논문
Validation of the Argentine version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Test (MOCA): A screening tool for Mild Cognitive Impairment and Mild Dementia in Elderly
Document Type
article
Author
Serrano, Cecilia M.; Sorbara, Marcos; Minond, Alexander; Finlay, John B.; Arizaga, Raul L.; Iturry, Monica; Martinez, Patricia; Heinemann, Gabriela; Gagliardi, Celina; Serra, Andrea; Magliano, Florencia Ces; Yacovino, Darío; Rojas, María Martha Esnaola y; Ruiz, Adelaida Susana; Graviotto, Héctor Gastón
Source
Dementia & Neuropsychologia. June 2020 14(2)
Subject
Language
English
ISSN
1980-5764
Abstract
The MoCA is a brief useful test to diagnose mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia (MD). To date, no Argentine cross-cultural adapted validations of the Spanish version have been reported. Objective: To validate the MoCA in the elderly and study its usefulness in MCI and MD. Methods: This study included 399 individuals over 60 years old evaluated in the Cognitive-Behavioral Department (2017-2018). Patients with<3 years of education, sensory disturbances, psychiatric disorders, or moderate-severe dementia were excluded. The control group comprised cognitively normal subjects. Participants were classified according to neuropsychological assessment and clinical standard criteria into Control, MCI or MD groups. A locally adapted MoCA (MOCA-A) was administered to the patients and controls. Results: Mean educational level was 10.34 years (SD 3.5 years). MoCA-A score differed significantly among groups (p<0.0001). MoCA-A performance correlated with educational level (r: 0.406 p<0.00001). Adopting a cut-off score ≥25 (YI=0.55), the sensitivity for MCI was 84.8% and for MD 100%, with specificity of 69.7%. When adding a single point to the score in patients with ≤12 years of education, the specificity of the test reached 81%. Conclusion: The MoCA-A is an accurate reliable screening test for MCI and MD in Argentina.