Prediction of post-stroke cognitive impairment by Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) performances in acute stroke: comparison of three normative datasets

Background Cognitive assessment in acute stroke is relevant for identifying patients at risk of persistent post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI). Despite preliminary evidence on MoCA accuracy, there is no consensus on its optimal score in the acute stroke setting to predict PSCI. Aims (1) To explore whether the application of different normative datasets to MoCA scores obtained in the acute stroke setting results in variable frequency of patients defined as cognitively impaired; (2) to assess whether the normality cut-offs provided by three normative datasets predict PSCI at 6–9 months; (3) to calculate alternative MoCA cut-offs able to predict PSCI. Methods Consecutive stroke patients were reassessed at 6–9 months with extensive neuropsychological and functional batteries for PSCI determination. Results Out of 207 enrolled patients, 118 (57%) were followed-up (mean 7.4 ± 1.7 months), and 77 of them (65%) received a PSCI diagnosis. The application of the normality thresholds provided by the 3 normative datasets yielded to variable (from 28.5% to 41%) rates of patients having an impaired MoCA performance, and to an inadequate accuracy in predicting PSCI, maximizing specificity instead of sensitivity. In ROC analyses, a MoCA score of 22.82, adjusted according to the most recent normative dataset, achieved a good diagnostic accuracy in predicting PSCI. Conclusions The classification of acute stroke patients as normal/impaired based on MoCA thresholds proposed by general population normative datasets underestimated patients at risk of persistent PSCI. We calculated a new adjusted MoCA score predictive of PSCI in acute stroke patients to be further tested in larger studies.