Picture-Based Memory Impairment Screen: Effective Cognitive Screen in Ethnically Diverse Populations

Objectives: To describe the psychometric properties of the Picture-based Memory Impairment Screen (PMIS) in a multidisciplinary memory disorder center serving an ethnically and educationally diverse community. Design: Cross-sectional cohort study. Setting: Montefiore Center for Aging Brain (CAB). Participants: Individuals with cognitive complaints (N=405; average age 76±10, 66% female). Measurements: A geriatrician or neurologist administered the PMIS, and a neuropsychologist administered the Blessed Information, Memory, and Concentration (BIMC) test and determined whether participants had dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or subjective cognitive complaints (SCC). Results: Mean PMIS scores were 4.0±2.6 in participants with dementia (n=194), 6.8±1.5 in those with MCI (n= 155), and 7.0±1.8 in those with SCC (n= 56) (p<.001). PMIS scores showed similar significant linear trends when analyzed according to ethnicity, education, sex, and language. The PMIS was negatively correlated with BIMC score (p<.001). The PMIS had positive predictive value of 77%, negative predictive value of 73%, sensitivity of 68%, and specificity of 81% to detect all-cause dementia in this population of individuals with cognitive complaints. Conclusion: The PMIS is a quick, valid screening tool to identify cognitive impairment in individuals with cognitive complaints that accounts for cultural and educational differences.