Dementia is decline in multiple cognitive domains and considered as a major cause of disability among elderly. Cognitive assessment is an essential part in evaluating patients attending geriatric clinic such as Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). However, this tool requires, individual to be at certain level of education, which may be difficult to perform among illiterate people. Moreover, the illiteracy rate in Oman was estimated to be 6% of the population Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the usability of Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS) as assessment tool for dementia in Oman. Objective To establish the usefulness of the Rowland universal dementia assessment scale (RUDAS) in comparison with Mini -Mental State Examination (MMSE ) and validating a simple and portable tool to screen for dementia among Omani population. Methods: Cross-Sectional study conducted at Al-Masarra hospital Geriatric unit OPD services from July 2020 to January 2021 to those who attending the OPD. Results: The RUDAS tool sensitivity was 95.3% and the specificity was 40.7%. While the MMSE sensitivity was 98% and the specificity was 32.7%. There is significant difference in both the sensitivity and specificity of both screening tools (p<0.05). RUDAS was more specific than the MMSE. Conclusion RUDAS is useful in assessing dementia in Omani population.

Dementia is decline in multiple cognitive domains and considered as a major cause of disability among elderly. Cognitive assessment is an essential part in evaluating patients attending geriatric clinic such as Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). However, this tool requires, individual to be at ...