Population

The study populations were sampled from participants identified in primary care settings.

Setting

The primary care setting was identified as representing a sample that would be presenting to primary care settings where the Mini‐Cog might be used as a screening test to identify individuals who may benefit from additional evaluation. Studies that identified individuals in primary care where they received both the index test and a reference standard were used.

Indext test

The Mini‐Cog performed in insolation or scored based on results on the clock drawing test or three‐word recall were included.

Reference Standard

Clinical diagnosis of dementia was made using recognized standard diagnostic criteria.

Studies

Cross‐sectional studies were included, case control studies were excluded

Study

Accuracy

(95% CI)

Number of

participants

Dementia

prevalence

Implications

Carnero‐Pardo 2013

Sensitivity: 1.00 (0.93 to 1.00)

Specificity: 0.40 (0.30 to 0.50)

142

34.5%

Participants were sampled including individuals who did have a pre‐existing history of dementia or cognitive impairment prior to assessment with the Mini‐Cog and reference standard but all participants had to have cognitive complaints suggestive of possible undiagnosed dementia or cognitive impairment.

Fuchs 2012

Sensitivity: 1.00 (0.84 to 1.00)

Specificity: 0.85 (0.81 to 0.89)

423

5.0%

The study excluded individuals with dementia at baseline, and those included in the study received a 36 month follow up assessment. Thus participants in the sample who were diagnosed with dementia were in the early stages of the disease.

Holsinger 2012

Sensitivity: 0.76 (0.53 to 0.92)

Specificity: 0.73 (0.68 to 0.77)

383

5.5%

Study involved evaluation of individuals in primary care settings without a documented history of dementia recorded at baseline.

McCarten 2012

Sensitivity: 0.84 (0.81 to 0.87)

Specificity: 0.27 (0.16 to 0.41)

569

90.3%

Individuals with documented cognitive impairment were excluded from screening. Sampling involved screening of all participants in primary care and then offering further evaluation to individuals who either screened positive or negative on initial screening and who also agreed to have further evaluation.