Validity and reliability of montreal cognitive assessment and its comparison with the translated hindi mental status examination in a South Indian geriatric population

Introduction: Ever since the MMSE has been brought under exclusive copyright, there has been a search for an alternative test for routine bedside cognition testing. The Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale has been validated in several previous studies for its effectiveness in cognition testing. However its use in India has not yet been validated. In this study we have tested the Validity and Reliability of MoCA in assessing neurocognitive function among the geriatric population attending a tertiary care hospital in south India in comparison with the Hindi Mental State Examination (HMSE). Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted over a period of two months during which 109 elderly patients aged > 60 years attending a health care centre were enrolled in the study. They were in turn administered the HMSE and MoCA and the results were compared. The data was analyzed using SPSS 17.0. Validity and reliability of MoCA among Indian elderly was assessed. Results: A total of 109 patients were analysed with a mean(SD) age of 68.9(6.759) years.In comparison to HMSE MoCA had a good internal consistency with a Cronbach’s Alpha of 0.715.The area under the curve was 0.761 for MoCA (95%CI 0.672-0.849) with a sensitivity of 97.8% and a specificity of 67.2 % at a cut off of 26. There was a good positive correlation of MoCA with HMSE at r=0.757. Conclusion: Montreal Cognitive Assessment is a reliable and valid tool in routine screening for neurocognitive function among the English and Kannada speaking South Indian elderly.