Qualitative analysis of the Clock Drawing Test by educational level and cognitive profile.
The use of a qualitative scale for the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) may add information about the pattern of errors committed.


OBJECTIVE
To translate and adapt the Modified Qualitative Error Analysis of Rouleau into Brazilian Portuguese and to examine the pattern of errors according to educational level and cognitive profile.


METHODS
180 adults (47-82 years) completed the CDT. Participants were stratified into age and educational levels and separated between those with and without changes in cognitive screening tests (Mini-Mental State Examination, Verbal Fluency).


RESULTS
No significant differences were found in CDT scores among age groups. Among participants without cognitive impairment, those with lower education often presented graphic difficulties, conceptual deficits and spatial deficits. Participants with cognitive deficits, demonstrated more frequently conceptual and spatial errors.


CONCLUSIONS
The qualitative analysis of the CDT may contribute to the identification of cognitive changes. Education level has to be taken into consideration during the analysis.
Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Aline
A
Teixeira Fabricio
Laboratório de Neurociências LIM-27, Departamento e Instituto de Psiquiatria, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Ivan
I
Aprahamian
Escola de Artes, Ciências e Humanidades, Universidade de São Paulo, Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Mônica
M
Sanches Yassuda
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001938:Brazil; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000592:standards*; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013997:Time Factors; D014175:Translating