Simplifying Detection of Cognitive Impairment: Comparison of the Mini‐Cog and Mini‐Mental State Examination in a Multiethnic Sample

Objectives: To compare detection of cognitive impairment using the Mini‐Cog and Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) and to identify sociodemographic variables that influence detection in an ethnoculturally diverse sample. Design: Cross‐sectional. Setting: A registry of the University of Washington Alzheimer's Disease Research Center Satellite. Participants: A heterogeneous community sample (n=371) of predominantly ethnic minority elderly assessed using a standardized research protocol, 231 of whom met criteria for dementia or mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Measurements: Demographic data, a standardized research protocol for cognitive assessment and dementia diagnosis, MMSE, and Mini‐Cog. Results: Both screens effectively detected cognitive impairment, the Mini‐Cog slightly better than the MMSE ( P< .01). Overall accuracy of classification was 83% for the Mini‐Cog and 81% for the MMSE. The Mini‐Cog was superior in recognizing patients with Alzheimer‐type dementias ( P= .05). Low education negatively affected detection using the MMSE ( P< .001), whereas education did not affect the Mini‐Cog, and low literacy minimally affected it. Conclusion: The Mini‐Cog detects clinically significant cognitive impairment as well as or better than the MMSE in multiethnic elderly individuals, is easier to administer to non‐English speakers, and is less biased by low education and literacy.