Different item characteristics of a mild cognitive impairment screening tool in the community-based Yilan Study: application of the item response theory.

Concise and understandable elements are often expected in community-based screening tools. For community-based health screening and population empowerment in the early detection of MCI, assessment tool items with detailed functional descriptions and examples for illustration have similar validities in most of the population. Items related to self-rated memory ability might be less valid. More examples may be needed for items constructed for comparing time-oriented functional status, especially in extremely old adults and individuals with activity limitations.