Risk Factors for Possible Dementia Using the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test and the Mini-Mental State Examination in Shanghai

• Main Authors: Xin Xu, Shifu Xiao, Tri Budi Rahardjo, Eef Hogervorst
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2015-11-01
• Series: Diagnostics
• Subjects: prevalence; dementia; risk factors
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/5/4/487
• ISSN: 2075-4418

Using a combination of the Hopkins Verbal Learning Test (HVLT) and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), we investigated the prevalence of possible dementia (DEM) in community-dwelling elderly in Shanghai. Subsequently, we investigated significant risk factors for DEM and generated a DEM self-checklist for early DEM detection and case management. We found that among a total of 521 participants using a HVLT cut-off score of <19 and a MMSE cut-off score of <24, a total of 69 DEM cases were identified. Risk factors, such as advanced age (≥68 years), low education (no or primary level), self-reported history of hypertension, and self-reported subjective memory complaints (SMC) were significantly predictive of DEM. The presence of ≥3 out of four of the above mentioned risk factors can effectively discriminate DEM cases from non-DEM subjects.