Predicting daily functioning with the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status.

BACKGROUND: The modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (mTICS) is a frequently used telephone-based cognitive screening measure that can distinguish between normal aging, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Although it has been used to predict current and future cognitive function in older adults, no studies have examined if the mTICS can predict daily functioning. AIMS: The current study sought to examine the relationship between the mTICS and a performance-based measure of daily functioning. METHODS: The mTICS and demographic information (age, sex, education) were collected during a telephone screening visit for 149 older adults (65-91 years in age) with amnestic MCI. Three subscales of the Independent Living Scales (ILS; Managing Money, Managing Home and Transportation, Health and Safety) were collected during a baseline visit and during a 16 month follow-up visit in a subsample of 93 individuals. RESULTS: Using simple hierarchical regression, baseline mTICS total score combined with demographic variables significantly predicted 19-22% of baseline ILS subscale scores. Similarly, in a subsample of 93 participants with 16 month follow-up data, baseline mTICS and demographic information predicted 9-31% of ILS subscale scores at follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The mTICS appears able to predict daily functioning in older individuals with MCI. Remote tracking of cognition and daily functioning in this at-risk group seems particularly beneficial to geriatricians and other providers, especially during COVID-19.

Functional and cognitive outcomes after COVID-19 delirium.

PURPOSE: To ascertain delirium prevalence and outcomes in COVID-19. METHODS: We conducted a point-prevalence study in a cohort of COVID-19 inpatients at University College Hospital. Delirium was defined by DSM-IV criteria. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality at 4 weeks; secondary outcomes were physical and cognitive function. RESULTS: In 71 patients (mean age 61, 75% men), 31 (42%) had delirium, of which only 12 (39%) had been recognised by the clinical team. At 4 weeks, 20 (28%) had died, 26 (36%) were interviewed by telephone and 21 (30%) remained as inpatients. Physical function was substantially worse in people after delirium - 50 out of 166 points (95% CI - 83 to - 17, p = 0.01). Mean cognitive scores at follow-up were similar and delirium was not associated with mortality in this sample. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that delirium is common, yet under-recognised. Delirium is associated with functional impairments in the medium term.