Validation of harmonized cognitive assessment protocol within the Egyptian context
Social psychiatry and psychiatric epidemiology
Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol. 2024 Nov 29. doi: 10.1007/s00127-024-02783-2. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
This study addresses the urgent need for culturally sensitive cognitive assessments in Egypt by validating an adapted version of Harmonized Cognitive Assessment Protocol (HCAP) to the Egyptian context. This version is to be used as a part of the Egyptian Aging Survey (AL-SEHA). We enrolled 300 participants aged 55 + from diverse backgrounds and meticulously adapted the HCAP for Egypt's linguistic and cultural context. Demonstrating strong reliability and validity (sensitivity 87.6%, specificity 89.2%, accuracy 89.7%), the Egyptian HCAP effectively identified cognitive impairment. Integrated into the AL-SEHA, this validated HCAP offers valuable insights on cognitive function decline in Egypt's aging population. Our findings not only contribute to global understanding of cognitive health but also set a precedent for future cross-cultural HCAP validations, informing policies and early diagnosis for dementia care.
