Comparison of the short test of mental status and the mini-mental state examination in mild cognitive impairment.
BACKGROUND
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is the most widely used brief screening measure of cognition, but it is not sensitive in detecting mild memory or other cognitive impairments. The Short Test of Mental Status (STMS) was specifically developed for use in dementia assessment and was intended to be more sensitive to problems of learning and mental agility that may be seen in mild cognitive impairment (MCI).


OBJECTIVE
To compare the STMS and MMSE for detecting or predicting MCI.


METHODS
Comparison of STMS and MMSE scores at baseline among 4 groups of patients: 788 patients with stable normal cognition, 75 patients with normal cognition at baseline but who developed incident MCI or Alzheimer disease during follow-up, 129 patients with prevalent MCI at baseline, and 235 patients with prevalent mild Alzheimer disease. All patients and control subjects for this study were evaluated through the Mayo Alzheimer's Disease Patient Registry or the Mayo Clinic Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Rochester, Minn, using a standardized diagnostic approach.


RESULTS
The STMS was slightly more sensitive than the MMSE in discriminating between patients with stable normal cognition and patients with prevalent MCI. The STMS was superior to the MMSE in detecting deficits in cognition in individuals who had normal cognition at baseline but later developed incident MCI or Alzheimer disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Compared with the MMSE, the STMS was better able to document MCI and was more sensitive in detecting deficits in cognition in individuals who had normal cognition at baseline but later developed incident MCI or Alzheimer disease.
Tang-Wai
David F
DF
Department of Neurology, the Mayo Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. 55905, USA.
Knopman
David S
DS
Geda
Yonas E
YE
Edland
Steven D
SD
Smith
Glenn E
GE
Ivnik
Robert J
RJ
Tangalos
Eric G
EG
Boeve
Bradley F
BF
Petersen
Ronald C
RC
D000368:Aged; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000150:complications; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index