Affiliations: [a] The Norwegian National Center for Aging and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway
| [b] Department of Geriatric Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Norway
| [c] Institute of Clinical Medicine, Campus Ahus, University of Oslo, Norway
| [d] Health Service Research Unit, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
| [e] Levanger Hospital, Nord-Trøndelag Hospital Trust, Levanger, Norway
| [f] HUNT Research Centre, Department of Public Health and Nursing, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Levanger, Norway
| [g]
Telemark Hospital Trust, Skien, Norway
| [h] Institute of Clinical Medicine, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
Correspondence:
[*]
Correspondence to: Knut Engedal, The Norwegian National Center for Aging and Health, Vestfold Hospital Trust, Tønsberg, Norway. Tel.: +47 91590433; E-mails: [email protected], [email protected].
Abstract: Background:The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), a simple test for measuring global cognitive function, is frequently used to evaluate cognition in older adults. To decide whether a score on the test indicates a significant deviation from the mean score, normative scores should be defined. Moreover, because the test may vary depending on its translation and cultural differences, normative scores should be established for national versions of the MMSE. Objective:We aimed to examine normative scores for the third Norwegian version of the MMSE. Methods:We used data from two sources: the Norwegian Registry of Persons Assessed for Cognitive Symptoms (NorCog) and the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT). After persons with dementia, mild cognitive impairment, and disorders that may cause cognitive impairment were excluded, the sample contained 1,050 cognitively healthy persons, 860 from NorCog, and 190 from HUNT, whose data we subjected to regression analyses. Results:The normative MMSE score varied from 25 to 29, depending on years of education and age. More years of education and younger age were associated with higher MMSE scores, and years of education was the strongest predictor. Conclusion:Mean normative MMSE scores depend on test takers’ years of education and age, with level of education being the strongest predictor.
Keywords: Dementia, mild cognitive impairment, Mini-Mental State Examination, normative score
