Application of Montreal cognitive assessment rating scales for screening cognition impairment in elderly patients with cranio-cerebral trauma / 中华老年医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare the validity of Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) versus mini-mental state examination (MMSE) in screening cognition impairment in elderly patients with cranio-cerebral trauma.Methods Cognitive function in 40 elderly patients with cranio-cerebral trauma and 40 healthy elderly individuals were assessed by MoCA and MMSE.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were performed to determine the optimal sensitivity and specificity of MoCA and MMSE.Results The total score and all the sub-test scores of MoCA were much lower in cranio-cerebral trauma patients than in the control group (all P＜0.05).The total score and orientation,calculation,recall,language sub scores of MMSE were significantly decreased in the elderly patients with cranio-cerebral trauma as compared with those in the controls (P＜0.05),while there were no significant differences in the immediate memory and language scores between the two groups (both P＞0.05).The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve showed that MoCA (0.92±0.03) ＞ MMSE (0.74±0.06) (Z=2.460,P＜0.01).When screening the cognition impairment in elderly patients with cranio cerebral trauma,the best cut-off scores of MoCA and MMSE were 24.5 and 27.5 respectively.Conclusions Cognition impairment is decreased in elderly patients with cranio cerebral trauma.The MoCA is superior to the MMSE as a screening instrument in detecting cognition impairment in elderly patients with cranio-cerebral trauma.