The Set Test as an Aid to the Detection of Dementia in Old People
BERNARD ISAACS M.D., F.R.C.P.1 and
AGNES T. KENNIE M.D., M.R.C.P., F.R.C.G.P.1
1 Department of Geriatric Medicine, Glasgow Royal Infirmary Group of Hospitals, Lightburn Hospital, Glasgow, G32 6ND
The Set test is a simple rapid test of mental function. It was applied to a sample of 189 elderly subjects in the East End of Glasgow. A score of under 15 on the test corresponded closely to a clinical diagnosis of dementia. Scores in the range 15 to 24 showed a lesser degree of association with dementia; while no subject with a score of 25 or over was demented. Low scores in the test were associated with physical illness, and to a limited extent with low social class, but not with affective illness. The test appears worthy of further studies in screening programmes, and may have other clinical and epidemiological uses.
Submitted on October 23, 1972
