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KMID : 1100220030020020131
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Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
2003 Volume.2 No. 2 p.131 ~ p.136
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Digit Span in Alzheimer’s Disease Patients
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Kim Tae-You
Kim Sang-Yun
Yang Dong-Won
Choi Mun-Seong
Kim Jae-Woo
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Abstract
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Background: Attention is a major domain of cognitive function and a central part of cognitive impairment of Alzheimer’s disease. Digit span is a brief test for attention. We evaluated attentional change in Alzheimer’s disease patients by digit span and calculated sensitivity and specificity for detecting dementia and cut-off score. Also we looked into the relationship between digit span and dementia screening tests, activity of daily living (ADL), behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).
Methods: One hundred six patients with Alzheimer’s disease and fifteen normal controls were enrolled. The patients were tested by digit span and dementia screening tests.
Results: Digit span forward and backward were significantly correlated with Korean version of mini-mental state examination (K-MMSE) (r=0.75, r=0.61. p<0.01). Digit span forward and backward were significantly correlated (r>0.47, p<0.01). When we defined the cut-off score of digit forward at 4 or backward at 2 or the difference at 4. It showed the sensitivity of 72% and specificity of 80% for detecting dementia. Digit span deteriorated as disease progressed.
Conclusions: Digit span is an objective indicator of attentional deficits and provides a useful clue to the diagnosis of dementia. It can be used as a quick test for dementia screening but influenced by other factors.
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KEYWORD
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Alzheimer’s disease, Attention, Digit span
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