Is the Quick Mild Cognitive Impairment Screen (QMCI) more accurate at detecting mild cognitive impairment than existing short cognitive screening tests? A systematic review of the current literature

Objectives Differentiating normal cognition, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia is important, as these conditions differ in terms of their prognosis and treatment. Existing short cognitive screening tests vary widely in their accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity at detecting MCI and dementia. The Quick Mild Cognitive Impairment Screen (QMCI) was developed in 2012 as a fast and accurate "MCI specific" screening test. The aim of the current study was to conduct a literature review to compare the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of the QMCI at differentiating normal cognition, MCI, and dementia to existing short cognitive screening tests at their optimal cut-off scores. Methods A search of the electronic journal databases EBSCO, Psych info, and Science Direct was undertaken using the keywords "Quick Mild Cognitive Impairment Screen," "QMCI," "accuracy," "sensitivity," and "specificity." Results of individual studies were examined, and 2 x 2 tables were drawn up to obtain the overall accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of each test across the studies included. Results Results from individual studies show that the QMCI has higher accuracy at detecting MCI and dementia than these cognitive screens. Pooled analysis shows that it also has greater sensitivity and specificity at optimal cut-off points for each test. Conclusions Based in the current review, the QMCI represents a more accurate, sensitive, and specific screening test for MCI and dementia than the SMMSE or the MoCA. This has important implications in screening for cognitive impairment.