Validity of Dementia Screening Test 'Korean Version of the Mini-Cog'

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: The Mini-Cog, a composite of three word recall and clock drawing, was developed by Soo Borson as a brief test for discriminating demented from non-demented persons in a community sample. This study was conducted to prove the diagnostic validity of the Korean version of Mini-cog. METHODS: All 41 who met the criteria for probable dementia based on informant interviews and 88 with no history of cognitive decline were included. Sensitivity and, specificity of the Mini-Cog were compared with those of the Mini-Mental State Examination in the Korean version of the CERAD assessment packet (MMSE-KC), clock drawing test (CDT) and three word recall. RESULTS: The Mini-Cog had the higher sensitivity (86.11%) than MMSE-KC and fair specificity (72.09%). Cut off points of Mini-Cog was 2/3. AUC of Mini-Cog was 0.819 (p<0.001). The Mini-Cog required minimal training to administer and no test forms of scoring modifications. CONCLUSION: It suggests that the Mini-Cog might be readily incorporated into general practice and senior care setting as a routine cognitive measure.