The Six-Item Screener and AD8 for the detection of cognitive impairment in geriatric emergency department patients
- PMID: 20855129
- PMCID: PMC3213856
- DOI: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2010.06.560
The Six-Item Screener and AD8 for the detection of cognitive impairment in geriatric emergency department patients
Abstract
Study objective: We evaluate the diagnostic test characteristics of the Six-Item Screener and the AD8 to detect cognitive dysfunction in adults older than 65 years and using the emergency department (ED) for any reason.
Methods: We conducted an observational cross-sectional cohort study at a single academic urban university-affiliated hospital. Subjects were consenting, non--critically ill, English-speaking adults older than 65 years and receiving care in the ED. We quantitatively assessed the diagnostic test characteristics of the Six-Item Screener and AD8 by using the Mini-Mental State Examination score less than 24 as the criterion standard for cognitive dysfunction.
Results: The prevalence of cognitive dysfunction was 35%, but only 6% of charts noted a pre-existing deficit. The Six-Item Screener was superior to either the caregiver-administered AD8 or the patient-administered AD8 for the detection of cognitive dysfunction.
Conclusion: The Six-Item Screener was superior to the caregiver- or patient-administered AD8 to identify older adults at increased risk for occult cognitive dysfunction.
Copyright © 2010 American College of Emergency Physicians. Published by Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.
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