Publication
Title
Diagnosing solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy : the effect of underperformance in neuropsychological testing
Author
Abstract
Objective: The diagnoses of solvent-induced chronic toxic encephalopathy (CSE) can be supported by neuropsychological tests. However, since results not only reflect cognitive functioning but also the patients effort to perform well, this study examines to what extent underperformance impacts neuropsychological outcomes in individuals referred for suspected CSE. Methods: A retrospective study of 48 suspected CSE patients having completed ten neuropsychological tests assessing different domains of cognition. Underperformance was identified using the Amsterdam Short-Term Memory Test and the Rey 15-item Memory Test (FIT). Multiple linear regression was applied to examine the effect of insufficient effort on test performance. Results: A total of 54.1% of the patients were identified as having underperformed on one or both performance validity tests. Analyses showed a significant effect of underperformance on most tests barring letter-number sequencing. Conclusions: Most of the neuropsychological tests evaluated showed significant effects of underperformance. Performance on letter-number sequencing was not affected. In case of underperformance, the results of the neuropsychological assessment should be disregarded when weighing the final multi-disciplinary diagnosis, with the exception of letter-number sequencing.
Language
English
Source (journal)
International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice
Publication
2019
ISSN
1365-1501
DOI
10.1080/13651501.2019.1571210
Volume/pages
23 :3 (2019) , p. 171-177
ISI
000488126700003
Pubmed ID
31082289
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 31.01.2019
Last edited 02.10.2024
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