Normative data for the Fototest from neurological patients with no cognitive impairment

Neurologia (Engl Ed). 2022 Jan-Feb;37(1):45-52. doi: 10.1016/j.nrl.2018.03.001. Epub 2018 May 28.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Objectives: To contribute normative data for the Fototest from neurological patients with no cognitive impairment, including disaggregated data on each domain of the test (naming, free recall, total recall, and naming fluency).

Material and methods: We performed a cross-sectional study in which neurological patients with no cognitive impairment were tested with the Fototest; we recorded total and domain scores. We performed a descriptive study of the total and domain scores, with data disaggregated by sex, age (over/under 65 years), and level of education (primary education completed/not completed; further study completed).

Results: We included a sample of 1,055 patients, who were mainly women (57.1%), aged over 65 (60.6%), and had a low level of education (38.6% had not completed primary education). Sex, age, and level of education influence total Fototest score (34.6 ± 5.3; P10: 28; P5: 27) and naming (5,9±0,3; 6; 5), free recall (8.5 ± 2.2; 6; 4), total recall (10.0 ± 1.5; 8; 7), and naming fluency scores (18.7 ± 4.9; 13; 12). For total score, the multivariate analysis revealed values of 1.5 ± 0.3 (ß ± SE) for sex (female), -2.4 ± 0.3 for age (> 65), and -1.6 ± 0.4 and 3.3 ± 0.4 for incomplete primary education and completed post-primary education, respectively (completed primary study was used as a reference).

Conclusion: We provide normative data for total and domain Fototest results for each of the groups defined according to sex, age, and level of education. We also provide a percentile distribution of scores. We hope that these normative data will translate into increases in efficiency in Fototest administration in the clinical setting.

Keywords: Brief cognitive test; Cognitive assessment; Estudio normativo; Evaluación cognitiva; Fototest; Normas; Normative study; Norms; Test cognitivos breves.