Sensitivity and specificity of a briefer version of the Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCog-Short) in the detection of cognitive decline in the elderly: An exploratory study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo create a reduced and briefer version of the widely used Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCog) battery as a concise cognitive test to be used in primary and secondary levels of health care to detect cognitive decline. Our aim was to reduce the administration time of the original test while maintaining its diagnostic accuracy. MethodsOn the basis of the analysis of 835 CAMCog tests performed by 429 subjects (107 controls, 192 mild cognitive impairment [MCI], and 130 dementia patients), we extracted items that most contributed to intergroup differentiation, according to 2 educational levels (8 and >8y of formal schooling). ResultsThe final 33-item low education and 24-itemhigh education CAMCog-Short correspond to 48.5% and 35% of the original version and yielded similar rates of accuracy: area under ROC curves (AUC)>0.9 in the differentiation between controlsxdementia and MCIxdementia (sensitivities>75%; specificities>90%); AUC>0.7 for the differentiation between controls and MCI (sensitivities>65%; specificities>75%). ConclusionsThe CAMCog-Short emerges as a promising tool for a brief, yet sufficiently accurate, screening tool for use in clinical settings. Further prospective studies designed to validate its diagnostic accuracy are needed.