INTRODUCTION:
In Western countries, the number of older adults with a migration background is increasing, along with the prevalence of age-related conditions like dementia. Standard cognitive tests often show cultural bias, limiting their effectiveness in diverse populations. This study highlights the need for culturally sensitive tools such as the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS), which is part of the European Cross-Cultural Neuropsychological Test Battery (CNTB). The RUDAS assesses global cognitive function while minimizing the influence of cultural, linguistic, and educational factors.
METHODS:
A prospective observational study began in February 2024 at the Cognitive Disorders and Dementia Center (CDCD) in Modena. Included patients were aged >65, born abroad to non-Italian parents, and referred for a multidimensional geriatric or cognitive assessment. When possible, assessments were conducted with cultural mediators and included the RUDAS scale. The RUDAS was administered alongside the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) in order to compare the results of the two cognitive screening tools within the same sample.
RESULTS:
The sample includes 44 patients, 77.3% female, with a mean age of 78.3 ± 6.7 years. Most have permanent residence permits but are not Italian citizens. The main nationalities are Albanian (22.7%), Moroccan (20.5%), and Ukrainian (11.4%). Dementia is the most common diagnosis. The mean MMSE score is 18.13 ± 7.43, and the mean RUDAS score is 17.39 ± 7.81, with no statistically significant difference (p = 0.6514). Patients are mostly supported by children or spouses and show intermediate autonomy levels (ADL: 3.95 ± 1.68; IADL: 2.75 ± 2.75). Frequent behavioral symptoms include sleep disturbances, irritability, and depression. Comorbidity levels are moderate (median CIRS-c: 2).
CONCLUSIONS:
These preliminary findings suggest that MMSE and RUDAS provide comparable results when assessing cognitive impairment in older migrant patients. Further research with larger samples is needed to confirm these results .
