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Assessment of cognitive function in patients with metastatic cancer: Are we using the right tools?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  07 August 2017

Geana Paula Kurita ,
Marlene Sandvad ,
Lena Lundorff ,
Cibele Andrucioli De Mattos-Pimenta ,
Jette Højsted  and
Per Sjøgren
Geana Paula Kurita*
Affiliation:
Palliative Research Group, Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark Multidisciplinary Pain Centre, Department of Neuroanaesthesiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
Marlene Sandvad
Affiliation:
Palliative Research Group, Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
Lena Lundorff
Affiliation:
Department of Palliative Care, Uddevalla Hospital, Uddevalla, Sweden
Cibele Andrucioli De Mattos-Pimenta
Affiliation:
Department of Medical Surgical Nursing, School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Jette Højsted
Affiliation:
Multidisciplinary Pain Centre, Department of Neuroanaesthesiology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
Per Sjøgren
Affiliation:
Palliative Research Group, Department of Oncology, Rigshospitalet, Copenhagen University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark Department of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
*
Address correspondence and reprint requests to: Geana Kurita, Rigshospitalet, Blegdamsvej 9, Department 4111, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. E-mail: geana.kurita@regionh.dk.
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Abstract

Objective:

This study aimed at analyzing the validity and reliability of the continuous reaction time (CRT) test, the finger-tapping test (FTT), the Digit Span Test (DST), the Trail Making Test – part B (TMTB), and the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in patients with metastatic cancer.

Method:

Eighty adult patients and 81 healthy controls were assessed between July of 2010 and November of 2015. The neuropsychological tests were analyzed regarding construct/discriminant/criterion validity and reliability.

Results:

In terms of construct validity, it was not possible to estimate a model for the MMSE because of a skewed response distribution. For discriminant validity, patients were slower on two measures of the CRT (p = 0.00483, p = 0.00030) and FTT dominant hand (p = 0.00306). Regarding sensitivity and specificity, only the DST and TMTB seemed to predict cognitive deficit; however, the ROC curve areas were ≤ 0.73. In terms of criterion validity, there were few significant correlations between the tests and the sociodemographic and clinical variables, and for the most part were very weak. Reliability was deemed to be adequate for the TMTB, DST, and FTT.

Significance of results:

The findings of the full validation analyses were not clear-cut. However, CRT test, DST, FTT, and TMTB demonstrated partial positive results, indicating that these tests have good potential for use in clinical settings and require further study.

Keywords

CognitionCognitive screeningCancerNeuropsychological assessmentSymptom validity
Type
Original Articles
Information
Palliative & Supportive Care , Volume 16 , Special Issue 1: Special Instruments – Assessment and Measure Issues in Palliative Care , February 2018 , pp. 80 - 89
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2017 

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