Development of simple cognitive function measures in a community dwelling population of elderly in Spain

Abstract

SUMMARYObjective. To develop and assess the consistency and validity of simple cognitive function measures for an elderly population with low levels of formal education for use in a longitudinal study of dementia.Methods. Data were from the population longitudinal study`Growing old in Legane s' (Spain). In 1993, a random sample of 1540 people over 65 was drawn from the City Roll of Legane s from which 1284 (83%) were successfully interviewed. Measures of memory and orientation were based on the SPMSQ (Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire), the Barcelona test and the short story from EPESE (Established Populations Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly). Non-response to a test item was coded as an error. Internal consistency was assessed by factor analysis and Cronbach's alpha. Construct validity was examined with multiple linear regressions of the proposed measurements on variables chosen from the existing literature on cognitive function.Results. Two factors, memory and orientation, emerged from the factor analysis. Internal consistency of the proposed indexes for memory and orientation was acceptable. Memory and orientation scores were summed into one summary index of cognition. Associations between covariates and both cognitive indexes were in the expected direction. Among those highly functional, orientation was in¯uenced by illiteracy due to higher error rates in the time orientation items based on dates; however, memory and summary scores were not signi®cantly dierent by literacy status. A large proportion of the variance in IADL was explained by the memory and orientation measures.Conclusion. The memory and orientation indexes are valid and reliable measurements of cognitive function for use in a population of community dwelling elderly with low levels of formal education and high rates of illiteracy.

Statins and Cognitive Functioning in the Elderly: A Population-Based Study

“…Performance on these tests can be influenced by age, educational level, ethnicity, and functional limitations [26,27]. Most screening tools have been developed in countries where secondary education is common.…”

Translation, cultural adaptation and psychometric evaluation of the Leganés cognitive test in a low educated elderly Brazilian population

“…With regard to LCT composition, we observed a moderate to strong correlation between items related to memory and orientation domains. Therefore, LCT produces reliable results because it is a simple and direct measure for evaluating cognitive performance in the elderly 5,14 .…”

“…cognitive assessment instruments LCT The LCT is a cognitive screening test developed in 2000 by Zunzunegui et al 14 . It was designed to be easy to administer and to have no impact of schooling on its final scores.…”

“…Back-translation and the bilingual method were used for translation and transcultural adaptation. Initially, two Spanish translators, aware of the research objectives, translated the instrument proposed by Zunzunegui et al 14 , seeking content that was both semantically and conceptually equivalent to the original version. Later, both translators worked together and reached a consensus between their translations.…”

“…The Leganés cognitive test (LCT) was originally developed by Spanish researchers in the longitudinal study Envejecer em Leganés (Aging in Leganés) as a cognitive screening scale adapted to low-educated populations 14 . The LCT assesses basic cognitive ability functions and it shows strong reliability and validity in the studied populations 5 .…”