Conversion between the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale and Mini-Mental State Examination test scores in majority and minority populations.

INTRODUCTION

Despite the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) having significant advantages as a cognitive screening tool, particularly for minority populations, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) test is the most widely used test for cognitive screening in Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to develop a conversion table to predict MMSE scores from observed RUDAS scores, allowing an easy-to-use method to compare both screening tests.

METHODS

The equipercentile equating method was used to develop the conversion table using a training sample consisting of cognitively intact participants and individuals with early-stage AD. The resulting conversion table was validated in two samples, comprising participants from majority and minority populations assessed in Spanish.

RESULTS

The conversion table demonstrated excellent reliability with intraclass correlation coefficients of.92 in both validation samples.

CONCLUSION

This study provides a conversion table between RUDAS and MMSE scores, improving the comparability of these cognitive screening tools for use in clinical and research purposes.