CAMCOG as a screening instrument for dementia: the Odense study. Cambridge Cognitive Examination.

Objective: The Cambridge Cognitive Examination (CAMCOG) score is correlated with age and sociodemographic variables. The aim of the study was to determine an individualized CAMCOG cut-off score for dementia, taking such correlates into account.

Methods: From the general population 150 people aged 65-84 years were examined with CAMDEX which includes CAMCOG, and a neuropsychological test battery. Data from 130 non-demented people were entered in setwise multiple regression analyses to identify variables predicting the CAMCOG score.

Results: The variables age, social class, matrimonial status, general knowledge and intellectual level explained 66% of the variance of the CAMCOG scores. A cut-off defined as a difference between actual and predicted CAMCOG score < or = -4.41 resulted in a sensitivity of 88.2% and a specificity of 89.2% for very mild to moderate dementia.

Conclusions: It is possible to determine an individualized CAMCOG cut-off score for dementia in its early stages.