Preliminary Validation of an Arabic Version of the MMSE in the Elderly

Abstract

Abstract Validity of an Arabic version of the Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) is evaluated through prediction of scores on the Informant Questionnaire of Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE) by item, subscale, and total scores. The MMSE was administered to 200 elderly Arab-Americans, and the IQCODE was completed by related informants. Multiple regression analyses indicated that both total MMSE and a combination of 3 MMSE subscales significantly predicted IQCODE, beyond effects of age or educational level. Analyses of the sensitivity and specificity of the MMSE in prediction of dichotomized IQCODE values across MMSE cut-off scores indicate that the utility of the MMSE varies across educational levels. MMSE items varied in their ability to demonstrate differing performance levels in individuals high and low in cognitive decline.