The utility of remote cognitive screening tools in identifying cognitive impairment in older surgical patients: An observational cohort study.

STUDY OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence of suspected cognitive impairment using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cognitive question, Ascertain Dementia Eight-item Questionnaire (AD8), Modified Telephone Interview for Cognitive Status (TICS-M), and Telephone Montreal Cognitive Assessment (T-MoCA), the agreement between each tool beyond chance, and the risk factors associated with a positive screen.

DESIGN: Multicenter prospective study.

SETTING: Remote preoperative assessments.

PATIENTS: 307 non-cardiac surgical patients aged ≥65 years.

MEASUREMENTS: Prevalence, Cohen's kappa (κ).

MAIN RESULTS: The T-MoCA detected the highest prevalence of suspected cognitive impairment (28%), followed by the AD8 (17%), CDC cognitive question (9%), and TICS-M (6%). The four screening tools showed poor agreement beyond chance with one another, with the CDC cognitive question and AD8 approaching the threshold for weak agreement (κ = 0.39). Depression was associated with screening positive on the CDC cognitive question (OR: 2.81; 95% CI: 1.04, 7.68). Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (OR: 3.10; 95% CI: 1.26, 7.71) and functional disability (OR: 3.74; 95% CI: 1.34, 11.11) were associated with a positive AD8 screen. Older age (OR: 1.56; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.41), male sex (OR: 3.08; 95% CI: 1.09, 9.40), and higher pain level (OR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.01, 1.47) were associated with a positive TICS-M screen. Similarly, older age (OR: 1.33; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.73), male sex (OR: 2.02; 95% CI: 1.09, 3.83), and higher pain level (OR: 1.15; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.30) were associated with a positive T-MoCA screen.

CONCLUSIONS: The CDC cognitive question, AD8, TICS-M, and T-MoCA were easily implemented during preoperative assessment among older surgical patients. OSA, functional disability, and depression were associated with complaints on the CDC cognitive question and AD8. Older age, male sex, and higher pain level were associated with screening positive on the TICS-M and T-MoCA. Early remote cognitive screening may enhance risk stratification of vulnerable patients.