Feasibility of preop cognitive stratification of older surgical patients

Editor's Note

Preoperative cognitive screening is feasible in most older elective surgical patients, and results show a substantial prevalence of probable cognitive impairment in this population, this study finds.

Because preexisting cognitive impairment is emerging as a predictor of poor postoperative outcomes in seniors, researchers examined whether preoperative cognitive screening tests were feasible and whether cognitive impairment is prevalent in this population.

Staff administered tests in a quiet room, and the researchers scored the tests. A total of 200 patients were randomly assigned to the Mini-Cog (100) or Clock-in-the-Box (100) tests.

Overall, 23% of patients met criteria for probable cognitive impairment, and prevalence was virtually identical regardless of the test. Both tests had good interrater reliability.

Home > Current Issue > Preoperative Cognitive Stratification of Older Elective Surg... doi: 10.1213/ANE.0000000000001277 Neuroscience and Neuroanesthesiology: Research Report Culley, Deborah J. MD; Flaherty, Devon MD, MPH; Reddy, Srini BS; Fahey, Margaret C. MA; Rudolph, James MD; Huang, Chuan Chin PhD; Liu, Xiaoxia MS; Xie, Zhongcong MD, PhD; Bader, Angela M.