Evaluating the Psychometric Properties of the Persian Version of the Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) Exam Among a Group of Community-Dwelling Older Adults in Tehran, Iran.

BACKGROUND

Early detection of cognitive impairments is crucial for preventing progression to dementia. An effective diagnosis necessitates a tool with robust diagnostic characteristics. The Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) exam is a widely utilized instrument for diagnosing neurocognitive disorders. This study assessed the psychometric properties of its Persian version (P-SLUMS) among Iranian community.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was conducted with 450 community-dwelling older adults who were referred to one of the Tehran Municipality centers and participated in a cultural program from March to November 2021. Data collection tools included a demographic questionnaire, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) for concurrent validity, and the SLUMS exam. Dementia was assessed using the Persian version of the Global Deterioration Scale (GDS), while depression was evaluated with the Persian version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The SLUMS exam was translated into Persian in accordance with the World Health Organization's protocol. Participants were recruited through convenience sampling based on the inclusion criteria. The P-SLUMS exam was evaluated for content validity, face validity, concurrent validity, and construct validity using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), as well as reliability, which was assessed over a two-week interval among 20 participants.

RESULTS

CFA indicated acceptable model fit indices. The goodness-of-fit indices for the model, including CFI, PCFI, and PNFI, were 0.82, 0.66, and 0.44, respectively, indicating a moderate fit that falls below the recommended thresholds for excellent parsimony. However, these indices are considered acceptable for our sample, which encompasses diverse education levels and a moderate number of items. The tool demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.866) and excellent test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.979).

CONCLUSION

The P-SLUMS exam is a valid, reliable, and user-friendly tool for early detection of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and dementia.