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The clinical applications of Mini-Mental State Examination in geropsychiatric inpatients
C H Yang1, J P Hwang, S J Tsai
1Veterans General Hospital-Taipei, National Yang-Ming University, Republic of China.
Objective:
This study investigated the association between Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and diagnosis, computerized tomographic scans or electroencephalogram findings in geropsychiatric inpatients (age > or = 65).
Method:
We analyzed the MMSE records of patients sixty-five and older who had been hospitalized in our psychiatric ward during a nine-year period. Case data were collected by review of chart records.
Results:
In these patients, MMSE scores were significantly different among the seven diagnostic groups included. Demented patients had the lowest MMSE scores. Patients who had abnormal findings on computerized tomographic scans or electroencephalogram had lower MMSE than patients with normal findings.
Conclusion:
Our findings suggest that the MMSE is a useful screening instrument for organicity in the geropsychiatric inpatients. However, because of the lower average MMSE score in geropsychiatric inpatients, the optimal cut-offpoint of MMSE for dementia should be lower than those used in other populations.
Insights
The Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) is a useful screening tool for organicity in older psychiatric patients. Lower MMSE scores indicate dementia or abnormal brain scan findings in this population.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Psychiatry
- Neuropsychology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Geropsychiatric inpatients represent a complex patient group with diverse cognitive profiles.
- Accurate cognitive screening is crucial for appropriate diagnosis and management in elderly psychiatric care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores and clinical diagnoses.
- To assess the correlation of MMSE scores with neuroimaging (CT scans) and electroencephalogram (EEG) findings.
- To evaluate the utility of MMSE in identifying organicity in elderly psychiatric inpatients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of MMSE records from geropsychiatric inpatients (age ≥ 65).
- Data collected over a nine-year period through chart reviews.
- Comparison of MMSE scores across different diagnostic groups and neurophysiological findings.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in MMSE scores were observed among seven diagnostic groups.
- Patients diagnosed with dementia exhibited the lowest MMSE scores.
- Abnormal CT scan or EEG findings were associated with lower MMSE scores compared to normal findings.
Conclusions:
- The MMSE serves as a valuable screening instrument for detecting organicity in geropsychiatric inpatients.
- The optimal MMSE cut-off score for dementia in this population may need to be lower than in other patient groups due to generally lower average scores.