Objective: To assess the validity of Complex Figure Test(CFT)in differentiating Alzheimer's disease(AD)from non-dementia.
Methods: Using CFT,we tested 183 AD patients(AD group),1283 cognitively intact individuals(normal control group),and 134 individuals suffered from other diseases that could be easily confused with dementia(confused control group).
Results: The CFT score was 38.7±0.2 in the normal control group,35.3±0.8 in confused control group,23.7±0.8 in mild AD group,and 13.2±1.1 in moderate AD group after adjusted for educational level,age,and sex(all P<0.05).With the 5(th) percentage of the overall score as cutoff point,this tool showed a sensitivity of 73.8% and a specificity of 93.8% in differentiating AD from non-dementia.
Conclusion: CFT is a sensitive and specific tool in the differentiation of AD from non-dementia.