Correcting for demographic variables on the modified telephone interview for cognitive status

Abstract

Objective: To examine the effect of demographic variables on scores on the modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (mTICS) in a healthy cohort and develop demographically corrected normative data.

Design: Observational.

Setting: Primarily academic medical centers.

Participants: 576 healthy older adults.

Measurements: mTICS.

Results: Age and education significantly correlated with mTICS score, and sex differences were also observed on this score. Ethnicity differences were not observed. Using regression equations, age, education, and sex significantly predicted mTICS total score.

Conclusions: By using these corrections, an individual's cognitive status may be more accurately predicted with this telephone screening instrument, although clinical validation is needed.

Keywords: Cognitive screening; normative data.