title: Combining the Memory Impairment Screen and the Isaacs Set Test: a practical tool for screening dementias.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the accuracy of combining the Memory Impairment Screen (MIS) with the Isaacs Set Test (IST) in distinguishing subjects with dementia from controls without dementia.
  
  
  METHODS
  The weighted sum of MIS and IST scores was calculated, and the logical "or" rule combination was performed using two different patient and control samples. Combination results were compared with each test used alone and with Mini-Mental State Examination to detect all types of dementias.
  
  
  METHODS
  Database of the Regional Network for Diagnostic Aid and Management of Patients with Cognitive Impairment in the Franche-Comté, France, geographical area.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cohort of 444 patients with Alzheimer's disease, non-Alzheimer's dementia, and reversible dementia and 311 controls.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value were calculated for the combination of these two tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The weighted sum had overall sensitivities of 0.92 and 0.84 for mild cases, with a specificity of 0.92. The "or" rule had overall sensitivities of 0.92 and 0.89 for mild cases, with a specificity of 0.90. This pairing requires no more than 5 minutes. Its scoring is simple with the "or" rule combination.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of MIS and IST could be a useful tool for screening dementias. The "or" rule combination seems particularly adapted to medical practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Besançon University Hospital-Jean Minjoz, Besançon, France.
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Chopard
authors.forename: Alexandre
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pitard
authors.forename: Sabrina
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Geraldine
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Vanholsbeeck
authors.forename: Lucien
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rumbach
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Galmiche
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003704:Dementia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012372:ROC Curve; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index