Predicting Cognitive Decline and Dementia with the Newly Normed SKT Short Cognitive Performance Test

2019

Diagnostics

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The SKT (Syndrom-Kurztest) is a short cognitive performance test assessing deficits of memory and attention in the sense of speed of information processing. The new standardization of the SKT (2015) aimed at improving its sensitivity for early cognitive decline due to dementia in subjects aged 60 or older. The goal of this article is to demonstrate how the neuropsychological test profile of the SKT can be used to provide valuable information for a differential diagnosis between MCI (mild cognitive impairment), dementia and depression. n = 549 patients attending a memory clinic (Nuremberg, Germany) were diagnosed according to ICD-10 and tested with the SKT. The SKT consists of nine subtests, three for the assessment of memory and six for measuring attention in the sense of speed of information processing. The result of the SKT test procedure is a total score, which indicates the severity of overall cognitive impairment. Besides the summary score, two subscores for memory and attention can be interpreted. Using the level of depression as a covariate, statistical comparisons of SKT test profiles between the three patient groups revealed that depressed patients showed more pronounced deficits than MCI patients in all six attention subtests. On the other hand, MCI patients displayed significantly greater mnestic impairment than the depressed group, which was indicated by significant differences in the memory subscore. MCI and dementia patients showed similar deficit patterns dominated by impairment of memory (delayed recall) with MCI patients demonstrating less overall impairment. In sum, the SKT neuropsychological test profiles provided indicators for a differential diagnosis between MCI and beginning dementia vs. depression.

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 87%

The Newly Normed SKT Reveals Differences in Neuropsychological Profiles of Patients with MCI, Mild Dementia and Depression

Lehfeld

2019

Diagnostics

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“…The SKT comprises nine subtests, three of which refer to memory, the remaining six subtests measure speed of information processing. An overview of the subtests and tasks to be completed is given in Table 1 4 . The SKT, with its duration of only about 10 minutes, seems to be a reasonable alternative in the context of MCI and dementia when compared to other established tests like the MoCA 5 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of Chinese Version of SKT (Syndrom Kurztest): A Short Cognitive Performance Test for the Assessment of Memory and Attention.

Lu¹,

et al. 2021

Preprint

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Aim: The SKT (Syndrom Kurztest) is a short cognitive performance test that consists of nine subtests and assesses deficits of memory and attention. It was aimed at exploring the SKT target population in China and to evalute the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of SKT.Method: A total of 1624 patients (599 cognitively normal controls, 359 subjectively cognitively impairment, 666 individuals with mild cognitive impairment) aged over 60 years old were recruited in the Sixth People’s Hospital in Shanghai. Cognitive screening tests (Chinese version of SKT, MMSE, MoCA-BC, ACE-III, AVLT, BVMT-R) and global functional tests (ECOG, ADL) were carried out. The SKT raw scores were recorded. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was determined to assess the internal consistency reliability of the SKT. Principal factor analysis was performed to evaluate the factor structure of the SKT subtests. Correlation analyses were carried out to confirm the relationship between the modified SKT and standardized neuropsychological tests. The influence of age and educational years on SKT raw scores were detected using multiple regression analyses. Validations of the SKT subtests for detecting MCI from NC were determined by Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves.Result: The internal consistency among the subtests’ scores was high: Cronbach’s α=0.827. The dimension reduction analysis showed the good factor structure of SKT subtests. Correlation analysis indicated the SKT raw scores of each subtest was negatively correlated with the corresponding MMSE and MoCA-B score. Correlation analysis revealed that age and education years were correlated to SKT raw scores (all p <0.001). We separated the participants into four subgroups according to educational years and age. Among the four groups, The old-old with higher educational level (group 4) had the largest area under the ROC curve (AUC) for SKT memory test, 0.821(95%CI: 0.747,0.876), with sensitivity 84.3% and specificity 62.1%. SKT memory test provided a high predictive validity in detecting aMCI with sensitivity 90.1% and specificity 79.3%.Conclusion: Based on our experience with 1624 old patients in Shanghai, the Chinese version of SKT has good stability which might be a reliable and valid screening tool for detecting MCI. However, test results must be interpreted with caution considered individuals’ age and educational level.

“…The SKT comprises nine subtests, three of which refer to memory, the remaining six subtests measure speed of information processing. An overview of the subtests and tasks to be completed is given in Table 1 [ 4 ]. The SKT, with its duration of only about 10 min, seems to be a reasonable alternative in the context of MCI and dementia when compared to other established tests such as the MoCA [ 5 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of Chinese Version of SKT (Syndrom Kurztest): A Short Cognitive Performance Test for the Assessment of Memory and Attention

et al. 2021

Diagnostics

Self Cite

(1) Background: The SKT (Syndrom Kurztest) is a short cognitive performance test that consists of nine subtests and assesses deficits of memory and attention. This study was aimed at exploring the SKT target population in China and evaluating the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the SKT; (2) Methods: A total of 1624 patients aged over 60 years old were recruited in the Sixth People’s Hospital in Shanghai. The SKT raw scores were recorded. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was determined to assess the internal consistency reliability of the SKT. Principal factor analysis was performed to evaluate the factor structure of the SKT subtests. Correlation analyses were carried out to confirm the relationship between the modified SKT and standardized neuropsychological tests. The influence of age and educational years on SKT raw scores were detected using multiple regression analyses. Validations of the SKT subtests for detecting Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) from Negative Control(NC)(were determined by Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves; (3) Results: The internal consistency among the subtests’ scores was high: Cronbach’s α = 0.827. The SKT memory test provided a high predictive validity in detecting aMCI with a sensitivity of 90.1% and specificity of 79.3%. (4) Conclusions: Based on our experience with 1624 elderly patients in Shanghai, the Chinese version of SKT has good stability and may be a reliable and valid screening tool for detecting MCI.