Diagnostic accuracy of the Thai version of the Mini-Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination as a mild cognitive impairment and dementia screening test

Abstract

Aim: To examine the diagnostic accuracy of the Thai version of the Mini-Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination (MACE-T) for detecting mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

Methods: Participants consisted of 60 controls, 40 people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 48 people with dementia. All participants completed the Thai version of the Addenbrooke's Cognitive Examination - III (ACE-T) and the MACE-T scores were obtained from items within the ACE-T.

Results: A cut-off score of 21/22 detected MCI with a sensitivity of 95% (95% confidence interval (CI): 86.1-100) and specificity of 85% (95% CI: 77.8-93.4). A cut-off score of 16/17 detected dementia with a sensitivity and specificity of 95.8% (95% CI: 88.2-100) and 85% (95% CI: 76.4-89.7), respectively. Using Bayes theorem, the MACE-T demonstrated high negative predictive values (> 94%) for diagnosing MCI and dementia, independent of their prevalence rates. Education was the only significant predictor of performance in the MACE-T.

Conclusion: The MACE-T is a good short cognitive screening test with high diagnostic accuracy for screening for MCI and dementia.

Keywords: Alzheimer's disease; cognition; dementia; mild cognitive impairment; neuropsychological test.