Examining cognitive status of elderly Iranians: Farsi version of the modified mini-mental state examination

The Modified Mini-Mental State Examination (3MS) is an expanded and modified version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Research demonstrates that the reliability, validity, specificity, and sensitivity of the 3MS are superior to that of the MMSE in detecting cognitive impairment. The Farsi version of the 3MS (F-3MS) was examined as a screening tool for dementia among elderly Iranians. The F-3MS and the Clock Drawing Test (CDT) were administered to 58 patients with dementia and 145 control subjects with normal cognition, aged 60 to 85 years. The difference between groups on the mean total scores of the F-3MS was statistically significant (dementia=60.65±9.89, control=80.73±8.26; df=201, t=14.75, p<.001). The receiver-operating characteristic curve showed 78 as the optimal cutoff point for detecting dementia, with a sensitivity of 98% and specificity of 81%. Interrater reliability was high (n=50, r=.91, p<.001), as were test-retest reliability (n=50, r=.89, p<.001) and internal consistency (a=.85). The F-3MS correlated strongly with the CDT, supporting convergent validity of the F-3MS. The F-3MS can be used as a valid and reliable measure for dementia screening among elderly Iranians.