The modified Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale for dementia screening in the Peruvian population

Dementia cases are rising globally, particularly in low-and middle-income countries like those in Latin America. Objective: The aim of the study was to enhance diagnostic accuracy in diverse populations; modifications to brief cognitive tools may be necessary. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 197 participants who underwent neurocognitive assessments with both the Peruvian version of the Rowland Universal Dementia Assessment Scale (RUDAS-PE) and a modified version of RUDAS-PE (mRUDAS-PE). Statistical analyses, including chi-square tests and receiver-operator curves, were used to compare the diagnostic performance of the original and modified RUDAS. Results: The mRUDAS-PE showed improved performance in the visuospatial construction domain, with more participants achieving top scores, especially among controls and Alzheimer’s disease patients. The judgment domain also yielded higher scores for controls. Only the judgment domain modifications do not change the diagnostic accuracy. Conclusion: Judgment modifications could be considered to improve the diagnostic performance of RUDAS-PE. Further testing in populations with different educational levels from rural areas is needed to assess their broader impact.