[Use of the MSE scale in geriatric psychiatry]

In preliminary research the authors tested the congruent validity of MSE by comparison with results of the MMSE scale which previously proved useful. In 155 probands of senior age they used MSE, WAIS-R. They found a close correlation of the MSE score and the results. of psychomotor examination of the intellect and memory. As regards different factors of the intellect the MSE performance correlated most closely with the social intelligence and practical instructive solution of problems. The scale has a satisfactory sensitivity but low specificity. The score is influenced by the promorbid intelligence, education and age. MSE differentiates clinically demented and not demented patients and patients with endogenous depression from dementia. The differences between groups of dementia with a different aetiology--multiinfarction and dementia of Alzheimer's type--were not statistically significant.