Can a direct IADL measure detect deficits in persons with MCI?
OBJECTIVE
To determine if a direct measure of instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) scale designed for use with dementia patients can detect differences between persons with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and normal elderly control subjects (NC).


METHODS
This study used cross-sectional and longitudinal IADL scale data from MCI and NC subjects followed at an Alzheimer's Disease Center.


RESULTS
On a 52-point scale, MCI subjects (n = 30) scored significantly lower than NC subjects (n = 30) on the IADL scale (total score 47.17 vs. 48.77 points; t (58) = 2.34, p = .011) and its Memory subscale (5.27 vs. 6.6 points; t (58) = 3.29, p = .002).Examination of annualized IADL scale change scores revealed that 50% of MCI subjects had declined by one point, compared with 29% of NC.


CONCLUSIONS
A direct IADL measure for dementia patients is able to detect small differences between MCI and NC and cross-sectionally and longitudinally, but does not distinguish between groups.
Binegar
Dani L
DL
Department of Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas 75390-9129, USA.
Hynan
Linda S
LS
Lacritz
Laura H
LH
Weiner
Myron F
MF
Cullum
C Munro
CM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012016:Reference Values; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index