SIS

Q: What is the Six-Item Screener (SIS) test?

Answer: It is a quick check of cognitive function

The SIS consists of two components

• three memory questions 
• three orientation questions

It is done in three steps:

1. Three words are read to the patient, and the patient is asked to repeat them (repetition of words is not scored). 

2. They are then asked three temporal orientation questions. The most common are year, month, and day of the week (these are scored). 

After three minutes of distraction -

3. The patient is asked to recall the three words (this time, recall words are scored).

A further workup for possible cognitive impairment should be considered if the patient incorrectly answers ≥2 of the 6 combined orientation and memory questions.

Although it seems trivial, SIS has a sensitivity of 86-89 percent and a specificity of 78-88 percent for detecting ԁеmentiа, particularly in the outpatient setting.

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References:

1. Callahan CM, Unverzagt FW, Hui SL, et al. Six-item screener to identify cognitive impairment among potential subjects for clinical research. Med Care 2002; 40:771.

2. Xue J, Chiu HFK, Liang J, et al. Validation of the Six-Item Screener to screen for cognitive impairment in primary care settings in China. Aging Ment Health 2018; 22:453.

3. Chen MR, Guo QH, Cao XY, et al. A preliminary study of the Six-Item Screener in detecting cognitive impairment. Neurosci Bull 2010; 26:317.