Psychometric Evaluation of Self-Assessment Persian Version of Alzheimer’s Questionnaire (AQ)

Mild Cognitive impairment (MCI) is a primary disorder intensifies by aging. Rapid diagnosis of MCI can prevent its progression towards the development of dementia. Thus, the present study was conducted to evaluate the psychometric features of the self-assessment Persian version of Alzheimer's questionnaire (AQ) in the elderly to detect MCI. 

First, the Alzheimer's questionnaire was translated into the Persian language; then, content validity was evaluated by CVI and CVR method, face validity was determined by two checklists for expert panel and the elderly. Convergent validity of the MCI test with MoCA was assessed using Pearson correlation. Test-retest and internal consistency reliability using Intra-Class Correlation (ICC) and Kuder-Richardson coefficients, respectively, were evaluated; moreover, the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off point of self-assessment MCI test. Among 148 older people took part, 93 of them meet our inclusion criteria (aged 60 years old or older, had reading and writing skills and able to speak and communicate).

A translated version of the questionnaire was named “M-check”. The developed test showed good content and face validity. Statistically significant correlations were found between M-check and MoCA (r= -0.83, p < 0.05). Kuder–Richardson and ICC coefficient were obtained as 0.84 and 0.92, respectively. Area under the curve presented satisfactory values (AUC =0.852, sensitivity =0.62, specificity =0.94).

M-check is a reliable tool that can be used as a valid and reliable instrument for assessing cognitive state and screening dementia in the elderly.