Jongstra et al combined changes in the Mini-Mental State Exam and the Visual Association Test to predict the risk of dementia in an elderly population. The authors are from the University of Amsterdam and Radboud University in The Netherlands.
Patient selection: 70 to 78 years of age
Parameters:
(1) Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) from 2 years ago with scores from 0 to 30
(2) current Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE)
(3) current Visual Association Test (VAT) using cue cards, with scores 0 to 6
change in the Mini-Mental State Exam =
= (current MMSE) - (MMSE from 2 years ago)
Parameter
Finding
Designation
change in MMSE
<= -2
definite decline
-1
mild decline
>= 0
stable or improving
VAT
6
perfect
<= 5
imperfect
Change in MMSE
VAT
Dementia (Approximate)
stable or improving
perfect
low (3%)
stable or improving
imperfect
low to moderate (6%)
mild decline
perfect
low (3%)
mild decline
imperfect
moderate (12%)
definite decline
perfect
moderate (12%)
definite decline
imperfect
high (> 15%)
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